Gana sangeet:a rich tradition Patriotism to the fore

He had heard me sing the famous song Dhon O Dhanney Pushpey Bhora, at musical concerts, in the USA, and had told me that I should have the original tune in my possession. It still is one of my priceless possessions.

We are used to listening to a simplistic style; but the original tune has a classic touch to it.

If we look back in the early 1940s a new trend of Bengali art song, known as gana sangeet or people's song, was initiated by those who worked against all kinds of repression in the society. The songs were imbued with a patriotic fervour and reflected the desire for a society free from exploitation.

Rabindranath, Mukundo Das and Kazi Nazrul Islam the three main poets of Bengal, have composed the largest number of patriotic songs. The two other poets and composers, Rajanikant and Dwijendralal Ray, also composed songs belonging to the genre.

When Rabindranath was only a child, noted musicians and talented artistes gathered at their house. It was a time when patriotic and anti-British sentiments were at their apex.

Tagore's patriotic songs were composed in 1875 when he was just 14 years old. The earliest such composition was Tomaree torey Ma shopinu ey deha. This patriotic trend gathered momentum during the swadeshi movement. Tagore's 60 patriotic songs, however, were a fraction of the 2,500 songs that he composed. Later Tagore expanded his repertoire with folk musical forms of the Baul genre.

Joggeshwar de, (1878-1934) was better known as Mukunda Das. He was born in Munshiganj but spent his boyhood in Barisal and settled there. He was inspired by the patriotism of Aswini Dutt and soon began to compose songs to propagate anti -British feelings. In his songs Bhoi Ki Moroney, Baan Eesheychey Mora Gangey, Mukunda reflected almost all the moods of patriotism.

He was also a powerful actor and performed in pala or rural based theatre. He was severely tortured in jail to stop him from spreading anti-British sentiments.

The 1940s were a watershed in the history of people's theatre and people's song of the Bangalis. This trend was originated by none other than Kazi Nazrul Islam.

When Nazrul returned from the frontiers in 1921, he began to compose fiery patriotic songs also. Nazrul composed a number of songs on awakening of youth and women, communal harmony, heroic sentiment, with inspiring language and music.

His poems, a revolt against the colonial domination and social injustice, spoke of beauty and love. Among the popular songs, imbued with a rhythm and exuberance, are : Shikol Porar Chol, Karak Oi Louho Kapat, Aj Rokto Nishi Bhorey, Chol Chol, Durgomo Giri, Jago Onoshon and many more.

Dwijendralal Ray, popularly known as DL Ray, was initially trained in classical music by his father Dewan Kartikeya Chandra Ray. He was a pioneer amongst the Bangali classical vocalists. After completing his Masters in English from the Presidency College, Ray went to England for further studies.

On his return to India he joined the government service as a Deputy Magistrate. During the swadeshi movement in 1905, DL Ray was inspired by the patriotism of the time and this was reflected in his compositions, which veered away from the humorous songs that he had long composed.

Rajanikanta Sen , one of the pancha kabis ( five chief poets) of Bangla art songs, was basically a lawyer in Rajshahi. Rajani was deeply influenced by DL Ray's style and soon began to compose songs of a similar nature. He too, was influenced by the swadeshi movement and composed songs reflecting the spirit of the patriots.

Mayer deya mota kapor matheye tuley nere bhai carried one of the most important messages of unification and love amongst fellow beings. This song, which called for a total boycott of foreign goods, stood out as a beacon of hope during the swadeshi movement.

The Indian People's Theatre (IPTA) was founded in 1943. It was a movement, which sought to enlighten the masses and organise the people in the struggle for economic freedom and justice. The musical squad of IPTA was initiated by musical minds like Binay Roy, Jyotirindra Maitrya, Hemanga Biswas and Salil Chowdhury.

These songs which were previously known as patriotic songs, were now popularly termed as gana sangeet or people's songs.

During the Liberation War of Bangladesh, the songs Orey Majhi, by Shahid Saber, Himalay Theykey Shundorbon, by Shukanto, , Ful Khelbaar Deen Noi Oddo, by Shubhas Mukhopadhyay, Jonotar Shongram Cholbey, by Sikendar Abu Zafar, Orey Bishom Doirara Dheu, composed by Sheikh Luthfur Rahman and many other songs,, gave encouragement to the struggling masses and heightened their yearning for a motherland free from exploitation.

These immortal songs are on the verge of extinction. Many countries have put considerable efforts to re-launch their national treasures. A select few artistes in our country, with private initiative have been struggling hard to preserve these songs, while patronage from the state is yet to come.