Ataur Rahman Ata is a legendary photojournalist from Sylhet. To everyone who knew him, he was simply *Ata Bhai*. Among those involved in literature, journalism, politics, or social activism in Sylhet during the 1980s and 1990s, hardly anyone did not know him. In addition to being the founding president of the Sylhet Photojournalists Association, Ataur Rahman also served as a former vice-president of the Sylhet Press Club.
Amiable and soft-spoken, Ata Bhai spent his days roaming the streets of the provincial town with a camera slung over his shoulder and a bag in hand. Sometimes, he would ride on the back of Manju Bhai’s motorcycle. Khairul Amin Laskar Manju was the former Sylhet bureau chief of the daily *Khabar*, as well as a legendary journalist and politician. He was one of the accused in the historic shoe-throwing case against Ayub Khan. Ata Bhai once worked as a staff photographer for *Khabar*. I hope to write about Khairul Amin Laskar Manju Bhai on another occasion.
Ataur Rahman Ata devoted his entire life to the noble profession of photojournalism. No amount of hardship or financial difficulty could distract him from his calling. He never chased wealth or material success. His familiar haunts included the second floor of Idris Market in Zindabazar and Sumi Photo Studio on the third floor of the historic Surma Mansion, near the foot of the Keane Bridge. His beloved photographer Dulal Ahmed was both his apprentice and associate.
In those days, Ata Bhai was our one and only dependable photojournalist in Sylhet. He would ask us to wait outside while he entered the darkroom, printed photographs, or developed film negatives, delivering the finished pictures almost immediately.
His fees were nominal. Ataur Rahman was called upon to cover almost every government or private event in Sylhet. I have lost count of the number of places I visited with him to get photographs taken. Whenever I called, he would put aside whatever work he was doing and climb onto the back of a motorcycle without a word of complaint. He never demanded money. He was a truly selfless and fearless man whose passion and profession were one and the same: photography.
Like many others, I have covered countless events, accidents, and assignments with Ata Bhai by my side.
It was 1987. General Hussain Muhammad Ershad was in power, and Sylhet was seething with political unrest, protests, and demands for change. The country’s first oilfield had been discovered in Haripur, Jaintiapur. The government suddenly leased the oilfield to a Canadian company, Scimitar. Anger spread throughout Sylhet, and the entire region erupted in protest. On April 5, a general strike was called in Sylhet under the banner of an all-party initiative.
I thought the news would carry greater weight if we could send a photograph along with the report. But in those days, sending photographs to newspapers in Dhaka and getting them published was far from easy.
Early the next morning, I set off for Haripur on a motorcycle with Ata Bhai. By the time we returned, it was already afternoon, edging toward evening. As soon as we reached Sylhet, Ata Bhai went straight into the darkroom. He developed the film, printed the photographs, and handed them to me. With the envelope in hand, I rushed to the airport.
In the departure lounge, a kind gentleman agreed to carry the envelope to Dhaka. I took his phone number before leaving and told him that someone from my team would collect it from his residence.
The following day, the report appeared on the front page under my byline, prominently displayed in a double-column format.
But the credit belonged more to Ata Bhai than to me. He never asked where we were going or why. He simply climbed onto the motorcycle and came along. That was Ata Bhai.
Throughout my professional life, I have always received his generous support, kindness, and cooperation. Today, I remember my beloved Ata Bhai with heartfelt gratitude.
Yesterday, I learned that Ataur Rahman Ata had been admitted to Ibn Sina Clinic in Sylhet after suffering a heart attack.
I pray that my dear Ata Bhai recovers quickly and returns to good health. May the click of your camera continue to capture the realities of life and expose the injustices and contradictions of society.
My heartfelt wishes are with you, Ata Bhai. Get well soon.
