A brief film showcasing the accomplishments of noted Bangladeshi architect Rafiq Azam will debut at the Sydney Opera House on March 26, coinciding with Bangladesh’s Independence Day to present the nation’s contemporary architectural achievements on a global stage.
The premiere will be held at the Opera House’s Utzon Room, where a special program highlighting Azam’s contributions will be featured. The occasion will also serve as the worldwide introduction of the monograph “Rafiq Azam: Old Dhaka New Story — Architecture in Bangladesh,” overseen by esteemed Rizzoli International Publications editor Maria Rosa Falvo.
A key segment of the program will be the premiere of “Between Light & Earth,” a short film directed by Shankha Dasgupta, which delves into Azam’s architectural philosophy and its harmonious bond with the environment, as reported by Prothom Alo.
Dasgupta expressed, “I aimed to capture Rafiq Azam’s architectural ideologies and his deep-rooted connection with nature through cinematic expression. Infusing elements of fiction into the documentary, the film recurrently explores themes of light, water, and expansiveness while resonating with the spiritual and humanistic essence of Bengal.”
He further noted that the cinematic journey subtly draws inspiration from the philosophies of Lalon Shah and Rabindranath Tagore.
Global coordinator Farhadur Reza, based in Australia, emphasized that the project seeks to showcase Bangladeshi architecture and filmmaking to a worldwide audience.
Reza stated, “The collaboration between architect Rafiq Azam and filmmaker Shankha Dasgupta showcased on a global stage is a significant accomplishment for us. Commencing in Sydney, we plan to extend the program to key cities worldwide, including Tokyo.”
The Sydney-based coordinator Iftekhar Abdullah mentioned that the event will include dialogues led by acclaimed architects and a presentation by Azam. Participation from architecture students and professionals from various Australian universities is anticipated.
Prior to the main event, Azam is scheduled to deliver lectures on March 24 at the University of Sydney and on March 25 at the University of Technology Sydney.
Born in 1963, Azam is renowned for his environmentally conscious design approach. Throughout his career, he has garnered numerous international accolades, including the Robert Matthew Lifetime Achievement Award from the Commonwealth Association of Architects, and has been a finalist for the Aga Khan Award for Architecture.
