The story of Rakher Upobash.
This photo captures a Hindu festival known as Rakher Upobash. Thousands of Hindu devotees gather at the temple every year lighting oil lamps with deep prayer. This ritual is observed in remembrance of Baba Loknath. On this day, they fast from morning to till dusk for earning his devine blessings.
About Artist
Md. Arifuzzaman
From a young age, I was captivated by movies and books, their stories fueling my imagination and shaping my creative aspirations. In moments of reflection, I would gaze out the window, drawn to the vibrant beauty of the world around me. The diversity of cultures, people, festivals, landscapes, and rituals deeply fascinated me. From reader I turned into a storyteller! At the age of 35, my journey into photography began with the gift of a small camera from my sister-in-law in Florida. Despite starting relatively late, photography quickly became my passion and purpose. Now, at 50, I have spent over 14 years as a visual storyteller, continually learning and evolving. Under the guidance of the acclaimed GMB Akash, I immersed myself in photography, developing a deep passion for capturing human life, festivals, cultures, travel, and street life. I find immense joy in uncovering beauty in the smallest details and celebrating life's stories through my lens. Among all genres, travel and documentary photography hold a special place in my heart. Behind the camera, I feel free, immersed in a world of creativity and discovery. It was all going on but suddenly i met Saiful Huq Omi a great mentor, photographer and founder of Counter Photo and he gave me big threshold and i realized walked 15 years in a long path and turened into a documantary photographer. My work has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including: • Xposure International Photography Award • Urban Photo Award • Ashaishimbun Award • Gold Award in 1839 Color Photography contest and so many..... Additionally, I have had 300 photos published on 1x.com along with 64 Awards and my work has been featured in both national and international publications. Notable Magazines and Publications: • The UK Guardian • The Daily Telegraph • South Florida Sun Sentinel • The Palm Beach Post • The Independent Photographer International Online Magazine • Sampan • Viewbug • The Daily Star (Celebrating Life 2018) • National Geographic • Amnesty International • Agora • International Global Shelter Projects • Bangladesh Brand Forum • The Business Standard Bangladesh • Bangladesh Tourism Board • Bihanga • Prothom Alo Photo Stories: Published on World class web portal 121.com and the Russian Journal Edge of Humanity • 1.The scent of Italy 2.The Song of the River 3. The Story of Preserving the Largest Living Heritage 4. The Stories of Kolkata 5. The Light of the Souls 6. The fairytale of Bangladesh 7. The scent of Italy 8. The untold story of Sikkim 9. The silence of Cherapunji. 10. The Story of Manipuri Dance From the very beginning, I’ve been drawn to stories that speak to me alone—tales that stir something deep within, not those shaped by stereotypes or curated to win applause through the portrayal of clichéd poverty and stage photography. Awards were never my destination; authenticity was. I have always chosen to frame the quiet dignity of preservation, love to narrate and document what is happening around us. The culture, lifestyle of people and the sacred rhythm of religion, and the soulful journey of people, and travel. In both my best and worst times, photography has stood by me like a true friend. It brings me hope, light, and peace—and inspires me to live and keep going. "Photography, for me, is the mystic reflection of life—a mirror veiled in shadows and light, whispering stories only the soul can hear.
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