Two sculptures at the Institute of Fine Art in Dhaka

The Institute of Fine Art at the University of Dhaka is an open space where students sketch, paint and sculpt. Photographer-journalist Zaid Islam, along with filmmaker Shameem Akhtar (who has taken me under her wing for the day) and I wander through sculptures and greenery in search of Nasimul Kabir aka Duke, a lecturer, who Zaid thinks would be helpful in Borderlines production series. With no electricity in the building, Duke invites us for tea at the open cafeteria, where students eat and drink openly even though it’s ramzaan—action that one cannot see in Pakistan where, during ramzaan, it’s illegal to drink and eat in public.

Afterwards, Shameem attempts to take me to Dhaka’s Old City where she grew up, but we are foiled by a two-hour traffic jam. After a certain point, the driver, who’s fasting, says it’s better turn around. It takes us another two hours to get back to Dhanmondi.

Photographer-journalist Zaid Islam poses in front of a frog sculpture designed by one of the members of Chhobhi Haat.