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The Street Updated

January 9, 2013

The streets around where I live in Spitalfields have been an inspiration to me and are always full of characters who bring the place alive. Similarly streets in Bangladesh are bursting with life so here we have the East End with Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh. Originally published 2 years ago I’ve added a few more images to this blog.

Brick Lane, early nineteen eighties. This lady would stand alone and talk to herself pointing in different directions as if she was recollecting life from past decades.

Brick Lane, early nineteen eighties. This gentlemen looks immaculate as he peers across Bethnal Green Rd to the other part of Brick Lane. Taking a rest, I wonder if he was imagining the changes that would transform the area in the coming decades.

Dhaka 1995. A relatively quiet street scene in Dhaka. When I visited the same street last year there were newly installed traffic lights (generally ignored by drivers), and less rickshaws. Police in Bangladesh have begun a campaign to remove unlicensed cycle rickshaws from the capital’s streets. The authorities say the long-term aim is to halve the city’s estimated 400,000 cycle rickshaws. This has led to the rickshaw drivers being harassed and bullied by the police. As the rickshaw driver in this photograph takes a well earned break, the bare footed boy walks past with his bag of newspapers. Rickshaw drivers ride all day earning less than three dollars in stifling heat and ferocious rain.

Dhaka, 1995. Outside a hairdressers the bicycle boy smiles directly into the camera. In Bangladesh people will often ask you to take their picture if they see you with a camera and are comfortable with having their photograph taken.

9 Responses leave one →
  1. jane maxwell permalink
    November 22, 2010

    What a lovely idea, love your photos and love you!! x

  2. John Bulaitis permalink
    November 22, 2010

    Hi Phil, Absolutely fantastic photos and an absolutely marvellous idea. Thanks for doing it!
    John

  3. November 22, 2010

    How lovely, a daily dose of Phil’s wonderful photos and captions. What could be better?
    So much to look forward to.

  4. Robert Davies permalink
    November 22, 2010

    Hello Phil,
    Thanks for this, what a great treat for us all…..x

  5. Brendan Carroll permalink
    November 23, 2010

    Great idea Phil! Looking forward to your Liverpool album…

  6. November 28, 2010

    My cousin recommended this blog and she was totally right keep up the fantastic work!

  7. Tony Hussey permalink
    December 1, 2010

    Hello Phil just fantastic looking forward to more.
    Thankyou

  8. Tony miah permalink
    July 9, 2012

    Hi Phil, I lived in the area until 1986 and went to Thomas Buxton Primary School on Buxton Street. Looking through some of your photos I have seen some old faces from my childhood including old friends from school especially in the 1984 Mela pics. Just wanted to say thank you and if you have any more pics from that time please put them up as I may see some old friends. Thank you.

  9. Maxine permalink
    October 11, 2016

    Hi Tony,
    Was wondering if you went to Sir John Cass school?

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