Bidyabhuban, 2017-2018

"Bidyabhuban: A Journey of Enlightenment" is a documentary that pays tribute to SK Almamun; the founder of a unique school in Kachiakanda, Bangladesh that embraces the underprivileged children of the village in the peaceful surroundings of nature while being nurtured with education, creativity, and self-awareness. The film celebrates the generosity of the human spirit when faced with the opportunity to help those in more unfortunate circumstances. It is a beautiful film and an inspiring story of the hopeful and selfless endeavor SK Almamun has undertaken. His presence seems to inspire the same virtue in all those who surround him and Iqbal shows evidence of this through interviews with other dedicated teachers at the school and an account of the architect, Naim Ahmed Kibria, who contributed his expertise in designing and building a much-needed structure to house the school. The film features exquisite photography of the natural beauty of the surrounding countryside that suggests it as a retreat for the children from their impoverished homes as they venture across the lands in the early morning mist on their way to school. These recurring scenes convey that the children welcome and crave the structure and routine of going to school and it has given them a sense of peace and serenity they may have never before experienced. The undeniable joy the children display while attending Bidyabhuban speaks volumes about the impact the school has had on their lives and their community. Observing them thriving and flourishing in their school environment, one would have no perception that they are from such poverty-stricken homes. Their families are shown actively participating in the school’s events and it is clear they see the change in their children and have surrendered to their positive influence. There is an intrinsic, underlying theme of nature that shines through in Iqbal’s imagery. The school structure is designed to coexist with the natural environment it is situated in and plays a large part in the school’s learning process. Curious birds are ever-present perched atop the roof and lending their songs to the background noise and composing the soundtrack of the day. The birds play and listen like students and seem to metaphorically represent the children and their newly found freedom; Bidyabhuban has given the children an opportunity to fly, a choice to command their own futures, and the will to go wherever they desire in life.