Music Keep-up Hopes to the Vulnerable

Abstract

On 25 March 1971, the Pakistani forces started massive genocide in Bangladesh (the-then East Pakistan). They demolished Shahid Minar, central monument of Bangladesh language movement and razed the traditional Ramana Kalimandir to the ground. Along with others the soldiers selectively killed the Hindu masses, burnt houses, looted and destroyed businesses and all their properties. Hindu women were targeted for rape and molestation. Nearly one crore Hindu refugees took shelter in India. During the Pakistani regime (1947-1971), Muslims became major religious community and consequently the Hindus became minority. Pakistanis banned the birth centenary of Rabindranath Tagore in 1961. There was strong resistance in East Pakistan and thus began the cultural awakening. Chhaynat's Pahela Baisakh ceremony, Jeebananda's Roop-Vandana poetry of Bengal, Sukanta's poetry of revolution became intolerable to the tyrannical regime. They termed this holistic development of Bengali cultural consciousness as incitement and conspiracy of the minor Hindu religious community. So, they indulged in the frenzy of wiping out the Hindus. Patriotic mass awakening and inspiring songs of Rabindranath, Nazrul, Atul Prasad, Dwijendralal, Salil Chowdhury, Hemanga Biswas- known as Song of liberation war, broadcasted from Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra. The words of Swadeshi-songs embodied love for the country. The lyricists emphasized the melody of Baul, Bhatiali, Sari-songs popular among lower-class people. Some converted Swadeshi-songs into 'mass-songs' through choruses. The songs kept the people on war including the Freedom fighters and minorities to keep up hopes to live - 'We Shall Over Come Some Day'.