For the love of the National Anthem

Fifty-year-old Sudorshon Robidas from Rangicherra Tea garden in Kulaura Upazila of Moulvibazar has taught students from around 700 education institutions to sing the National Anthem with perfection. He has been doing this for 18 years, and that too pro-bono. He comes from a family of tea garden workers and has studied up to the ninth grade.

Robidas told this correspondent, “I learned the National Anthem from Sylhet Radio composer Nurul Islam. Later, I started teaching the children in my area. In 2001, I joined as a trainer at Rudrabina Music School in the Magura Residential Area under Kulaura Municipality.”

This correspondent recently visited the home of Robidas to know what necessitated him to teach the National Anthem to perfection.

He said, “In many schools the National Anthem is being sung incorrectly during assembly. It was very difficult for me to observe this. So I started this journey in March 2001.”

 “So far, I have taught the National Anthem to students in 700 schools of Juri, Baralekha, Kamalganj and Rajnagar upazilas, including Kulaura of Moulvibazar district. But I do not charge a fee.” He makes a living from lessons held every Friday at Rudrabina Music School and several days a week at his home.

When this correspondent visited Amir Solfu government primary school in Kulaura Upazila, Robidas was busy instructing students in the correct rendition of the National Anthem. At one stage, the students talked about tune, rhythm and cadences.

Farzana Akhter, a fourth grade student of the school said, “We used to make a lot of mistakes while singing National Anthem. The rhythm and tune were distorted. But now we are able to sing it well.”

Mahfuz Sakil, co-founder of United Kulaura welfare trust in Kulaura Upazila told this correspondent, “Sudorshon is a true patriot. He also inspires students to be patriotic by teaching them the perfect way of singing the National Anthem. His work calls for praise. I think his efforts will spread across the country.”

Nantu Das, join secretary of Bangladesh Udichi Shilpi Goshti, Kulaura Upazila unit, Moulvibazar district told this correspondent: “He is spreading the knowledge to the people for which I respect his work.”

Jyoti Sinha, District Cultural Officer in Moulvibazar told this correspondent, “Robidas has been doing a great job at his own initiative. He works selflessly. Such people are the pillars of society.”