Sony Ramani’s camera advocates for change: Endangered Environment and Nature
The photography exhibition brings together years of work, depicting the realities of pollution, waste mismanagement, and the health crises they spark in Bangladesh
When photojournalist Sony Ramani stood along the Buriganga river, his eyes and nose began to sting.
He could barely breathe, but he continued to take photos of the purple liquid pouring out of the pipe, straight into the river.
A passerby stopped in his path and told Ramani, "There's no point in taking these pictures. People take pictures of this every day, yet nothing has changed."
Despite the incident, Ramani remained undeterred in his mission to document the harsh realities of pollution, waste mismanagement, and the health crises they spark.
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His powerful photographs are now on display at Shilpakala's Chitrashala, Gallery-1.
Titled 'Endangered Environment and Nature', the photography exhibition brings together six to seven years of Ramani's photojournalistic work—an unflinching visual narrative of Bangladesh's environmental decline.
The exhibition included around 60 photographs along with a video of the impact of pollution in Bangladesh. With the support of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, the gallery opened its doors on 19 April and is open to the public until 24 April.
Alongside the exhibition, Ramani has also launched a photo book containing the same photos from the exhibition.
Sony Ramani has over 13 years of experience in photojournalism, particularly in news, sports, and documentary photography. His occupation and passion have pushed him to different corners of the nation.
The photos presented in the exhibition include both images Ramani took for his work and those from his personal archive.
The fact that Bangladesh always made headlines when it came to pollution never sat right with him, which inspired him to create this exhibition.
"I arranged this exhibition to show people the truth about pollution. Not all these photos make it to the news. I want to inspire people to change their habits for the environment, even if it is the slightest change," shared Ramani.
He continues, "I hope people can see how poor regulation can impact the environment through my pictures. I want people to come forward and join me to advocate for change."
Bangladesh has long ranked among the most polluted countries in the world—placing second in the 2024 Air Quality Index for the worst air quality globally.
Ramani's pictures focus on how the actions of people and corporations impact our everyday lives. The exhibition's curation, done by Mustafa Zaman, showcases both the destruction of nature and its results side by side.
On one side of the gallery, photos of people taking down trees are spread throughout the wall. On its opposite side are pictures taken in Bangladesh Shishu Hospital, showing children suffering from respiratory illnesses. Seeing both of these images side by side, you are hit with the gravity of how humans are harming the planet.
Bringing these images in front of the public had its own challenges.
"While taking such photos, I immediately felt the risk these environments posed to my health. Some of these areas are so polluted you can feel the dirt and grime entering your mouth," said Ramani.
However, these risks have never discouraged the photojournalist from capturing the grim reality.
"I will continue to capture the stories of the environment—not out of joy, but out of sorrow," the photojournalist concluded.
