Patriotic Bengali Music

"Music and rhythm find their way into the secret places of the soul..." Plato

The impact of music on human psyche can never be fully comprehended. Music has the power to inspire, ability to change moods and bring about social revolution. It's everywhere in nature. Hence the idea that music may predate language is not shocking. A culture's music reflects its every aspect. Bengal has a wealthy musical heritage. As many scholars and exponents believe, music in this part of the world was perhaps formed as an expression of devotion. Most songs glorified some deity or mythological accounts, while some depicted lifestyles of different classes. However, all that changed in last two hundred years.

The 19th century saw the dawn of revolution in the sphere of Bangla music. Bangla music outshined its contemporaries in the region during what was considered its golden age. Interestingly enough, the idea that music can spark nationalistic sentiments among masses was also realised in 19th century Bengal. These songs can be categorised as Patriotic Songs (glorifying the land) and People's Songs or 'Gano Sangeet' (themed on struggles of the people).

Bangla patriotic songs are believed to have appeared first at the beginning of the 19th century through the compositions of Ishwar Chandra Gupta and his followers. High on nationalism, Gupta started a movement for the improvement of Bangla and also created a positive atmosphere for writers like Rishi Bankimchandra Chattyopadhyay and Dinabandhu Mitra.

The entire Freedom movement of India, was inspired by the very anthem of Indian Revolution – “Vande Mataram”, a song penned by Rishi Bankimchandra Chattyopadhyay, from his epic nationalist novel “Ananda Math”. The very essence of the song is about the Blood and Soil factor of Sanatan Bengali Culture, it celebrates the relationship of a people to the land they occupy and cultivate. This very song inspired the numerous nationalistic song in years to come. Bangla patriotic songs attained wide recognition during the 'Swadeshi Movement' (part of the Indian independence movement against the British Raj, encouraging use of everything local and discouraging British goods). These songs became even more popular during the 1905 movement against the partition of Bengal; usual themes were loyalty towards the land and valor of the freedom fighters and martyrs. Case in point: "Ekbar bidaye de ma ghurey ashi" on the teenage martyr Khudiram Bose. This period in Bangla music saw the emergence of creative titans -- Rabindranath Tagore, Dwijendralal Roy, Rajanikanta Sen, Atulprasad Sen and Kazi Nazrul Islam.

Motivated by the nationalistic senses, Dwijendralal Roy composed several patriotic songs, which went on to achieve classic status. Familiar patriotic songs by Dwijendralal Roy include "Bango amar janani amar" and "Dhano dhanya pushpobhora amader ei boshundhora". His passion for the motherland, combined with his musical talent, is reflected in these songs. Roy, however, did not reject western musical traits. "Dhano dhanya pushpobhora" for instance is based on Raga Kedara but the line "Shey je amar jonmobhumi", with three types of musical tempo, follows the Western music pattern. This trend of incorporating western styles in Bangla songs was soon catching on.

Rabindranath Tagore is the only person to have written the national anthems of two countries. "Amar shonar Bangla, ami tomaye bhalobashi" gained popularity during the Swadeshi Movement. Swadeshi activists, revolutionaries and those opposing the partition of Bengal (1905) used this song to ignite the spirit of nationalism among the masses. Though Tagore was never actively involved in politics, he was not alienated from the socio-political scene either. He had his unique attitude towards nationalism. A staunch critic of the partition of Bengal, Tagore conveyed his views in the song "Banglar mati Banglar jol". Among other patriotic classics by Tagore are: "Jodi tor daak shuney keu na ashey" , "Chitto jetha bhoyshunno", 'Oi pohailo timir raati' and "O amar desher mati".

Rajanikanta Sen, influenced by Tagore, composed a number of patriotic songs. "Mayer deya mota kapor mathaye tuley nerey bhai" was hummed by the youth during the movement against the British Raj; the nationalistic appeal of the song remains undiminished.

Atulprasad Sen, who wrote relatively few songs compared to his contemporaries, carved a place for himself in the cultural scene dominated by Tagore. The poet and lyricist wrote the nationalist and  patriotic "Moder garbo moder asha a mori Bangla bhasha".

Kazi Nazrul Islaml's songs were not meant to appease the non-violent followers of the anti-British movements; Nazrul was very vocal about his stance against the British Raj and the colonial system put him behind bars for that. Armed with an impeccable foundation in classical music and Persian, Arabic, Sanskrit literature, inspirational songs by Nazrul was hard hitting. Among them, "Karar oi louho kapat", "Shikal porar chhal moder", "Durgam o giri kantar moru", "Amra shakti amra bal", "Jai hok satyer jai hok" and more are still rendered with zeal. Nazrul did write some patriotic songs in the conventional form -- "Eki aporoop roop-e ma tomar" and "O bhai khanti shonar cheye khanti amar desher mati", for instance.

As long as Bangla music remains, lyricists and poets will express their devotion to the Motherland, musicians will set appealing melodies to those words and artistes will breathe life into them. Here's hoping these songs would keep our spirits high and patriotism rigid, come hell or high water, as they have for centuries.