A solo portrait exhibition titled 'PHOTOSEUM' by noted photographer Nasir Ali Mamun began at the Bangladesh National Museum on April 10.

Prof Emeritus Anisuzzaman inaugurated the exhibition around 5pm while Cultural Minister Asaduzzaman Noor graced the occasion as the chief guest.

Supported by ARTcon and dedicated to National Professor Abdur Razzaq, the exhibition will display 123 portraits of celebrities from different time and background.

'Mamun has pioneered portrait photography in the country. It was his fascination for capturing iconic moments of famous people that drove him take portraits of so many great individuals', said professor emeritus Anisuzzaman.

'For over four decades, Mamun has done what he loves to do. He never let himself get distracted by money or anything else', said Asaduzzaman Noor.

'I have been working as a portrait photographer for almost fifty years. I want to establish a photography museum (photoseum) where the portraits I have captured will be displayed. I request all to extend their helping hands in making my dream a success', said Nasir Ali Mamun, who began his journey as a portrait photographer in 1972.

"Now, I have a new dream- to establish a museum of my portraits of celebrities. I dream my photographs would be the objects of aesthetic beauty and would hold great historical value. Future generations, fifty or hundred years later from now, will recognize the famous people of our times through my portraits. I want people to not only glance at the portraits, but to actually read them, feel them," said Nasir Ali Mamun about his works.

Mamun, who pioneered portrait photography in the country, has shot the portraits in his signature style with dim, natural light on the subjects' faces. He has displayed thought-provoking images of founding president of the country Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, former US president Bill Clinton, social worker Mother Teresa, artists like Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin, Patua Quamrul Hassan, SM Sultan, national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, poet Jasimuddin, Syed Shamsul Haque, novelist Humayun Ahmed, Humayun Azad, classical maestros like Bismillah Khan, Alla Rakha, Pundit Ravi Shankar, Pundit Hariprasad Chaurasia, actors like Asaduzzaman Noor, Ferdousi Majumder and others at the show.

The exhibition will remain open from 10:30am to 8pm on Saturday to Thursday and 2:30pm to 8:30pm on Friday till May 3.

Born in 1953 in Old Dhaka, Mamun, a self-taught photographer, received lifetime achievement award from Chobi Mela International Festival of Photography and 'Celebrating Life' by Standard Chartered Bank and The Daily Star in 2017 for his outstanding photo artiste and acclaimed in 56 solo exhibitions of this kind.