Ekush fills our hearts with spirit

Ekushey February holds a special place in the heart of every Bangladeshi. This is the month when Bangladesh celebrates the Language Movement of 1952, which the entire world celebrates today as International Mother Language Day. Upcoming artistes Sabbir, Liza, Naureen, Rashed, Poluk and Luipa are some of the common faces in our music scene who have their own take on what the month means to them. Here's what they had to say:

What does Ekush mean to you?

Sabbir: Ekush means happiness. When this month finally comes, I feel happy that we can speak freely in Bangla. If there were no Ekush, we wouldn't have been speaking in Bangla.

Rashed: Our country is like a mother. Ekush is the month of our mother language and we are a nation that shed blood for the freedom to speak our mother tongue. Ekush inspires us to keep our heads high and take pride in our country and language.

Naureen: Ekush means singing out loud “Amar Bhai Er Rokte Rangano Ekushey February”. When I sing this song I experience the same emotions when singing our national anthem. Ekush means walking with pride.

Pulok: Ekush means pride; Ekush means not lowering our head. Ekush means an uprising which has a great outcome. 

Luipa: I feel different as this is the month we celebrate our language. I feel proud to be a citizen of this country.

Liza: Ekush means everything. We achieved so much because of this month. Ekush inspires us to go ahead. 

How do the songs of Ekush inspire you?

Sabbir: We love our country and these songs inspire us. These songs evoke patriotism. We draw new spirit from these songs.

Rashed: We did not see the war or the Language Movement and yet we feel moved listening to these songs. It inspires us to sing for our country. I think these songs will pass on to future generations and keep inspiring them.

Pulok: These songs have been inspiring us for years. They are patriotic and I believe they will guide us to the future.

Luipa: Many things inspire us to sing. There is something in these songs that motivates us to go further. There is a deep melancholia in these songs.

Liza: These songs inspire us in many ways. Since I am a singer I can say the songs are a source of inspiration for me.

How can youths play a role in preserving our culture?

Sabbir: I believe youths will lead the country and take it further. If they are positive everything turns beautiful. Youths of this country will help preserve its culture and spread it further if they safeguard a healthy cultural environment.

Naureen: Our elders say if youth are on the right track the country is on the right track. I agree. Youths are the lifeblood of a country. And they are the people who will be beacons of our culture. 

Rahsed: I think we need support from our seniors.

Luipa: I agree with them. And as a youth I am happy.

Pulok: Youths are leading everywhere. They are dominating the music industry. The main theme is that if youths are united and they have a positive attitude, the country will prosper and so will our culture.

Liza: I am happy that I am a youth. Youths are full of life, and they will win in the end. However, if they get distracted the country runs a risk. Youth should sing for truth and beauty, and have noble thoughts. They should have patriotism and spirit to uphold the culture of our country.