Chobi Mela

ছবি মেলা

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Arts & CultureDhaka
DatesDates TBACheck locally before booking
DurationAnnualEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsChobi Mela's defining feature, unmatched by
Language["bn"]Currency: BDT
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Chobi Mela in Dhaka

Chobi Mela is a biennial international photography festival founded in Dhaka in 2000 by Shahidul Alam, centered on documentary and social-issue photography from Asia, Africa and Latin America. Its best-known feature sends exhibition prints onto the backs of city rickshaws rather than confining them to gallery walls, spread across multiple Dhaka venues rather than one central hall.

Chobi Mela puts some of its photography onto the backs of Dhaka's cycle rickshaws, sending exhibited images out into ordinary street traffic instead of keeping them behind gallery walls.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Chobi Mela's defining feature, unmatched by other regional festivals, is moving photography off gallery walls and onto the backs of Dhaka's cycle rickshaws, putting curated images directly into everyday street traffic

02

The mystery stays covered

It was also the first international photography festival in Asia, founded in 2000 specifically to center 'Majority World' photographers from Asia, Africa and Latin America rather than routing the conversation through Western institutions, and it still runs workshops and portfolio reviews alongside exhibitions, giving it a working, pedagogical dimension beyond passive viewing

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Chobi Mela's signature tradition is exhibiting selected photographs on the back panels of Dhaka's cycle rickshaws

Water and renewal

Living ritual

sending the work into everyday street traffic across the city rather than confining it to gallery walls

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA

Getting around

For Chobi Mela, plan transport around the exact Dhaka venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Dress for a lot of walking and venue-hopping across Dhaka: comfortable shoes, light layers, and clothes that handle both air-conditioned gallery spaces and busy outdoor streets.

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Chobi Mela, stay near the part of Dhaka you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

["bn"] · BDT

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map23.71 N, 90.41 EOpen in Google Maps

Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Nearest airportDAC — Hazrat Shahjalal
TransportFor Chobi Mela, plan transport around the exact Dhaka venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Chobi Mela, stay near the part of Dhaka you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Dhaka via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Dhaka, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for festival season.Compare faresFestival gearDress for a lot of walking and venue-hopping across Dhaka: comfortable shoes, light layers, and clothes that handle both air-conditioned gallery spaces and busy outdoor streets.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Bangladesh and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Chobi Mela?

Chobi Mela is listed for Dates to be announced. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Chobi Mela take place?

The festival is listed in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Annual is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLchobimela.org
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA
Source statusOfficial source linked
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