Enamul Karim Nirjhar

Enamul Karim Nirjhar (born 29 November 1962) is a Bangladeshi architect and filmmaker.

He is the founder and principal architect of System Architects, a prominent architectural studio known for its contemporary designs across different sectors, including residential, mixed-use, commercial, institutional, industrial, hospitality, and community development projects. In the 1990s, Nirjhar launched an innovative interior design initiative that significantly influenced the restaurant scene in Dhaka. He designed several conceptual restaurants in Dhaka and Chittagong, including Bukhara, Santoor, Bonanza, White Castle, and Asparagus. He designed WE in Hampshire, UK. (EKNC). This platform is designed to collaborate with young professionals from different creative sectors so they can grow creatively and intellectually while also securing a source of income.

Early life and education Enamul Karim Nirjhar was born to Muhammad Afsar Ali and Momtaz Begum in Rajshahi. In the mid-1970s, he enrolled at Rajshahi Cadet College. He later studied architecture at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, which is the highest-ranking engineering institute in the country.

Career

Architecture In 1995, Nirjhar formed System Architects. The film's songs became viral hits, and it received critical acclaim, winning Bangladesh National Film Awards in four categories: Best Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and Best Playback Singer (Female). Aha! was also Bangladesh's submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film that year, although it did not receive a nomination.

Nirjhar's second film, Nomuna (2009), is a dystopian socio-political satire centered on political turmoil. In addition to directing, he wrote the story, script, and songs for the film. The eight-song soundtrack was released in September 2009, but the Bangladesh Film Censor Board refused to issue a censor certificate for the film, despite it being produced with a government grant.

As the founder of 9 STEPS, Nirjhar is currently working to develop a group of professionals who can contribute to the future of the film and media industry. He is currently producing a series of nine films as a part of his Noy Bochorer Boro project.

Photography and writing

From an early period, Nirjhar was very much involved in photography as another of his passions. He participated in several exhibitions with his photography works. Bornodhara (2001), a book of his photography and poetry, was a tribute to the Bangla alphabet and language.

Nirjhar joined the popular humor magazine Unmad, and in the mid-1980s became a contributor to the weekly Sachitra Shandhani. He was the initiator of an experimental magazine on cinema named Kino Eye and a literary magazine, Potito Shubash. He has also written three books of stories: Kanush (2010), Jaa (2012), and Oboshesh Ongshobishesh.

Album Ek Nirjharer Gaan is a compilation of 101 Bangla songs written and composed by Nirjhar and released on the label Gaanshala.

Filmography Tarona (2001) The Shadow Gap (2003) Kheyal (2003) Kohen (2004) Tokhon (2004) Ebong Porobashi (2004) Tini (The Architect) (2005) Manush, Koyta, Ashchhe (2006) Aha! (2007) Nomuna (Example) (2009) (Unreleased) Byapaar (In Fact) (2024) Bishebish (Poison of 2020) (2024) Banan (A Well Known Story) (2024)

Awards Architecture AYA (2007) Excellence in Architecture (2013) Film Bangladesh National Film Awards in 4 categories (2007) Photography National Winner of Kodak Fiap Photography Competition (1992)

Personal life Nirjhar married model and actress Tanzika Amin in 2011 and divorced in 2013. He then married actress Aupee Karim in July 2016. With Karim, he has a daughter (aged ).