Bengal's Harmonious Heritage: A Symphony of Shared Culture Across India and Bangladesh
Image Source: Internet
Despite current tensions between India and Bangladesh, the cultural bond between the two nations is rooted in a rich shared heritage. The Gharana tradition in music, which spans centuries, is a testament to this shared legacy. Rabindranath Tagore's iconic song 'Amar Shonar Bangla' was written in 1905 to protest the division of Bengal by the British colonial government. Tagore's ancestral roots in Jessore and Bardhaman districts are mirrored in the life of Kazi Nazrul Islam, the national poet of Bangladesh, who was born in Asansol, West Bengal. Islam's poetry transcends religious and national barriers, echoing the cultural exchange that has existed between India and Bangladesh for centuries. One such example is Kotalipara in Bangladesh, a town that was once a prominent fort and intellectual centre. The town's musical style, led by musicians like Tarapad Chakrabarti and Harihar Chakrabarti, influenced the development of 'Khayal' singing, a creative and imaginative style that brought fame to the region. In Bishnupur, another Gharana emerged, propounding the classical form of singing known as Dhrupad. Founded during the reign of emperor Aurangzeb, Bishnupur became a hub for Hindustani music, with Ustad Bahadur Khan introducing the Gharana that has since become synonymous with Bengali music. The Rubab, a string instrument believed to have originated in Afghanistan, gradually evolved into the Sarod and Surbahar. In Rajshahi, Hindu Zamindars like Rani Bhabhani patronised arts and culture, with Ustad Mohd Ameer Khan serving as a court musician. Tansen, a 16th-century genius, remains immortal through legends and folktales, with present-day musicians tracing their musical lineages to him. The blending of musical styles and instruments is a testament to the cultural exchange between India and Bangladesh. Abdullah Khan, a musician from the Shahjehanpur Gharana, created the Sur Rabab by combining the Surshringar and Rabab. Ustad Mohd Ameer Khan trained Radhika Mohan Maitra, who later became a celebrated musician. Beyond the royal courts and musicians, influential personalities like Lalon pir, a Sufi mystic, and Hason Raja, a Sufi poet, have contributed to the cultural heritage of the region. Their poetry and songs continue to inspire and influence artists across India and Bangladesh, transcending religious and national boundaries.
