Holi Celebration in Bangladesh by Anik Rahman

Captured amidst the vibrant chaos of Shakhari Bazar in Old Dhaka, this photograph documents the exuberant spirit of the Holi festival. The photographer expertly navigated the dense, colorful atmosphere, timing the shutter to freeze the dynamic movement of devotees celebrating the triumph of good over evil. By utilizing a wide-angle perspective and a high shutter speed, the image isolates the raw emotion and vivid pigments of the event against the historic backdrop of the city. This work is award-worthy for its masterful composition and its ability to translate the frenetic, joyous energy of a cultural tradition into a singular, poignant visual narrative.

Holi Celebration in Bangladesh by Anik Rahman
Canon EOS 5D Mark II | Exposure 1/800sec @ f/4 | ISO 1250 | Focal Length 28mm
Copyright Β© Anik Rahman
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Anik Rahman

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Born in 1988 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Anik Rahman is a self-taught freelance photojournalist who has established a significant international presence. Represented by Nur Photo Agency in Italy and Redux Pictures in New York, his work focuses on human rights, social dynamics, politics, and environmental issues. Rahman’s compelling visual storytelling has earned him recognition through numerous local and international publications and exhibitions, cementing his reputation as a dedicated observer of the human condition.

Profile View Full Profile
13.4/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
275/500
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SUBMISSION
Award Reach | Reviews
16,094 views | 12 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date April 1, 2015
66.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 12.0
Clarity 12.0
Composition 18.0
Style 12.0
Skill 12.0
Photograph Location
Shakhari Bazar, Old Dhaka, Bangladesh

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Anik Rahman Photography
Color Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (13.2/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
5.0/5 points
1,441/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
16,094/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.4/5 points
9/100 Review
Submissions
2.8/5 points
275/500 Submission
Jury Score: 66.0/80
Resonance Score: 13.2/20
Total Award Score: 79.2/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 3

Eleanor Voss Composition & Visual Structure Expert Review
The frame is crowded, yet the geometry holds. Rahman’s use of the 28mm lens forces a brutal proximity, pinning the figures against the crumbling architecture of Shakhari Bazar. It’s a precarious balance of pigment and stone. The vertical lines of the buildings act as a necessary cage for the chaotic spray of color. I’m genuinely unsettled by how the negative space doesn't exist here. It’s claustrophobic, rigid, and entirely successful in its structural defiance.
Clara Whitfield Award Criteria, Legacy & What Makes an Image Endure Expert Review
Of the thousands of festival shots I’ve reviewed, most are just colorful noise. What separates this from the pack is the 28mm perspective; it forces us into the crush of Shakhari Bazar rather than letting us watch from a distance. I felt my own pulse quicken looking at the pigment-stained faces. It’s the chaotic, unposed intimacy that makes me believe this will still matter in thirty years. It’s raw, it’s visceral, and it’s undeniably alive.
Thomas Hargreaves Earned Photographs, Craft Discipline & the Long Wait Expert Review
Shakhari Bazar is a claustrophobic furnace during Holi. I’ve spent enough time in such crowds to know that getting this close without being trampled requires a particular, stubborn persistence. Rahman didn't just stumble into this chaos; he clearly endured the grit and the pigment until the frame finally settled. It’s a messy, visceral piece of work. I find myself wanting to wipe the dust off my own lens just looking at it. He earned this.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Tom Bretherton

The Weight of Color

I remember a street market in Jaipur where the air turned thick with powdered pigment. A man selling marigolds had his entire face coated in a layer of neon pink, his eyes bright and startling against the dust.

Read the reflection →
By Daniel Ferreira

The Right to the City

Public space is rarely neutral. It is a contested territory, a stage where the invisible lines of class, history, and belonging are constantly negotiated.

Read the reflection →

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