Journal of Xi'an University of Architecture & Technology ISSN No : 1006-7930

Bishnu Prasad Rabha’s songs and the spirit of social freedom

Parinita Bora Department of Assamese Assistant Professor, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Adarsha Mahavidyalaya, Biswanath, ,

Abstract- was one of the most masterful figures in the Assamese art-culture-literature and political field. He was also a freedom fighter. He stood against the British and capitalist exploiter class. In the first part of his life, Rabha belief the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi, and after then he became a Leninist, Marxist, revolutionary. The outstanding celebration of “Rabha Divas” every year with pomp started especially from 1979 in the time of the Assam Movement and it has become a notable feature of cultural life in Assam. He is popularly known as “Kalaguru” (the master of the arts) between Assamese people. Rabha was a popular prominent personality in the cultural and social life of Assam also. He always aspired to a classless society. He always desired a balanced society where there will not be exploitation, caste, and creed, high-low, etc. Bishnu Rabha’s song reflected the sense of social or human freedom, patriotism, romanticism, etc. The songs of Bishnu Prasad Rabha are popularly known as “Rabha Sangeet”.

Keywords – Bishnu Rabha, Kalaguru, Leninist, Marxist, Independence, Rabha Sangeet

I. INTRODUCTION Bishnu Prasad Rabha was an eminent cultural figure of India. He was from Assam, which is known as “Kalaguru”. He has various contributions in the field of Indian culture such as music, dance, painting, and literature as well as the political field also. He was born in Dhaka on 31 January 1909. Dhaka is now situated in Bangladesh. He was an artist, actor, music composer, lyricist, architect, literature, and politically active person. The name of Rabha’s father is Raibahadur Gopal Chandra Rabha, who was working as a police under British regime. His father Gopal Rabha was born in a Bodo family, so since he was raised by the Rabha family, then Gopal accepted the title “Rabha” in his name. The older pioneer lyricists who have been made the flow of music are dynamic and lively, that one of the foremost lyricists was Bishnu Prasad Rabha. Rabha has created by experimenting with the subject of nature, aesthetic, romantic, and musical elements, such as tone, rhythm, harmony, and standard, they have used as the most important weapons of social change. The contribution of his immortal songs was unique in making the music section of the Tinsukia Session of the Assam Sahitya Sabha more mass-oriented. Most of the sweetest songs of Bishnu Rabha, which are life-reading for the , these beautiful songs were always made feel a wet tinge of audience. Most of the songs written by Rabha in the 1930s were romantic or traditional. The songs included in the dance drama Muktir Deol by Rabha are rich in a revolutionary spirit. Nature was depicted in the write-ups of Rabha, who wrote many love songs in his youth time. The placement of the tune of songs gives a detailed introduction of Rabha’s knowledge.

II. METHODOLOGY The methodology adopted for study in the research paper “Bishnu Prasad Rabha’s songs and the spirit of social freedom” is analytical. The discussion about the research paper is being taken to try to present the original content using the analytical method as well as to explain based on the knowledge of the related books. The primary sources used are the particular songs of Bishnu Rabha in Assamese. The secondary sources are the research papers, articles, and books written on Rabha’s literary creations by other authors.

III. OBJECTIVES ➢ To study social freedom or human freedom through Bishnu Rabha’s songs. ➢ To discuss about the spirit of social freedom of Bishnu Prasad Rabha.

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IV. ANALYSIS At the heart of the perfection of Rabha’s life, from a lifetime of living with poor people was the close relationship between the soil/land and man. The main source of inspiration for his artistic career was the great life of solidarity with the people, the touching truth of the lives of the labourers-workers, with whom he was formed through a lifelong relationship. In his songs, reflected the flame of curiosity from Sankardeva to Leonardo da Vinci, from Marx Lenin to Mao Tse-tung, Leon Trotsky. For which his songs, poems, plays, stories, novels are all made from simple patriotism to universe humanism. He had no faith in people like the capitalist, the wealthy, the rich men, etc. For which Rabha also called the speeches of the policies of this class “spurious” and “Fake”.

4.1 Spirit of Social freedom of Rabha In the early of twentieth century, in the formation of the modern was a major influenced by European literature. The renaissance of Bengal and other such developments in the surrounding state has entered this influence. During the time of colonizing rule, in spite of the socio-political situation of Assam, European literature had helped to bring about changes in the nationalist cognition along with the increase of a wealthy intellectual tradition in Assam. In the meantime, the basis for a distinctive tradition of Assamese culture had been shaped in the nineteenth century by the indomitable like , Sahityarathi and . This had paved a path for dynamic minded writers and cultural-political activists like as Rupkonwar (creator of named “Joymoti” in 1935) and Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha. Rabha properly realized the linguistic diversity of Assam. He gained the knowledge of near all languages and dialects of the Indian state of Assam. Nowadays, people of all edge in Assam desire to claim Rabha as their own. He is known as the cultural icon of Assam. One of the comrades of Bishnu named Tilak Das had wrote two bibliographies of Rabha. The name of the bibliographies are given below-

Bishnu Rabha, Atia Kiman Rati (1977) Kalaguru Bishnu Rabha (1988).

Rabha was searching the independence based on the idea of Panchayatiraj. For the invention of forming Panchayatiraj between labours-farmers, he invited for a socialist revolution in opposition of the British regents. So, Rabha wrote –

“Dhangsha kor Dhangsha kor Dhanir Ahankar Daya Maya Nakaribi Khyamar Din Je Gol”

English translation: Destroy Destroy The ego of the rich Do not be pity and love The day of forgiving has been gone.

(Bishnu Prasad Rabha: Rachana Sambhar, page-134)

Studying the contents of Rabha’s songs reflects three main thoughts. That’s are following-

(A) Songs were written with the thought of social freedom or human freedom. (B) Songs were written with the thought of patriotism and (C) Romantic songs.

Although Rabha was born in a happy family environment in the British regime, he had brightened up and gained immense recognition for his talent in the vast Indian cultural field with dance, song, painting, and performance. Rabha was a liable artist of society. Studying female stars of Indian music and dance scriptures, he tried to connect

Volume XII, Issue XII, 2020 Page No: 498 Journal of Xi'an University of Architecture & Technology ISSN No : 1006-7930

tradition and modernity with the exercise of music and dance as per the needs of Indian society. Wandering in all places of Assam, the songs of Rabha have been replaced by folk art used in daily life, such as pottery, metal crafts, folk instruments, folk songs, textiles, and other materials.

According to Bishnu Rabha, the carrier of Assamese culture means that Assamese art-culture-civilization will be saved by the neglected, exploited and oppressed people. For which they have to live like humans to stay connected with the spirit of the era. If he did not free himself from exploitation-rule-tyranny then the Assamese nation is death in his hands. Under the pressure of maximum return of the poor, he wandered into a cultural mind in rural and hilly places. Against the English government and the capitalist corrupt class, Rabha gave vigorous lectures to compose songs, sing and dance to awaken people in various situations. His life at that time became a tone of reconstruction of Assamese caste-language-literature-culture. He never wanted to get divided the communist party into two oppositions. He was a real revolutionary spirit minded person. Rabha advocated forming of only one communist party. He fearlessly wrote four-line bungalow poetry and hanged this poetry in front of the royal palace of Raj Bhavan in the 1930s in Koch Bihar. –

“Rajye Ache Duti Patha Ekti Kalo Ekti Sada Rajye Jodi Mangol Chao Duiti Pathai Boli Dao.”

English translation – In the state there are two goats One white and one black If you want the well-being of the state Slaughter both

In this research paper “Bishnu Prasad Rabha’s songs and the spirit of social freedom”, it will be taken care to see the songs written by the spirit of society or human freedom. A balanced society was desired by the egalitarian Rabha and scattered the rule of traditional society that fulfilled the indomitable desire to bring about a new world plan. Where there will not be exploitation, caste, and creed, high-low, rich and poor communities in the name of governance. If we analyze his songs of liberation, we can see several important aspects reflected.

(a) Inviting the common people to fight or challenge the colonial English rule. (b) Invitation to destroy the capitalist exploiter class. (c) Sense of liberation of labourers and cultivators. (d) Efforts to establish a class showing non-discrimination society.

Bishnu Rabha was a revolutionary artist who believed in democratic ideals. The age of Bishnu Rabha was a crucial period for Assamese national life. At that time, Assamese culture started neglecting its heritage considering it as old and out-dated and a tendency grew up among the literate section to follow blindly the neighboring Bengal as a model. Born with a revolutionary spirit in his blood, Bishnu Rabha wanted to free Assamese society from the ongoing cultural trend and ushered in a new era of Assamese music by infusing pure Assamese tunes into his lyrics. Love of native land and native culture provided the impetus for the creation of his music tinged with the smell of the soil. The common man and his life was the source of much inspiration and yet Rabha was beyond many regional parochial ties. His song, dances, and rhythms combine Assamese folk music with other inspirations.

Bishnu Rabha took an active part in the non-violent movement of Gandhi for the actual liberation of the people of India. But after India attained Independence in 1947, it was seen that the country’s people did not achieve real freedom. The chain of domination, exploitation, and atrocities was only handed down from the foreigners to the natives. Bishnu Rabha was quite disillusioned with the stark nakedness of power-mongering politics in post- Independence India and his patriotic heart bled for the deprived lot. Rabha was affected by Mahatma Gandhi in 1930. He participated in the freedom movement actively. Bishnu Rabha wrote many slogans and hoisted the flag of India in many government buildings in Calcutta. In this case, British police issued a non-bailable warrant against Rabha. So, He fled from Calcutta to and started his glorious deeds from there. Rabha donated all his inherited land (2500 bighas) to the pathetic cultivators. He has written various books where reflected on his

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socialistic notions. The name of his books is – Asomiya Kristir Somu Abhax (An outline of the Assamese culture), Asomiya Kristi (The Assamese Culture), Muktir Deol (The temple of freedom), etc.

Bishnu Prasad Rabha acted as a corner-stone of Assamese society and culture in the pre-independence and post- independence era. One of the talented actors, film directors, dancers, and music composers Bishnu Rabha’s stage performances were also entirely stunning. At that time, Rabha acted in a mobile theatre group which is called “Ban Theatre”. He directed “Shiraj” an Assamese drama in which he composed the music that. Rabha acted in the movie named “Era Baator Xur” and composed several numbers of songs. Later these songs are known as “Rabha Sangeet”. Rabha gave music to most of his songs also. He had great love and sentiments with the Bura Luit, the mighty Brahmaputra River. Whenever the downtrodden people are exploited socially, culturally or make them the victim of any conspiracy, he always protests against these with his songs-

Raijei Raja Mur Prajayei Raja Mur Xukhare Panchayatiraj. Xaj Mukti Xena Xaj Hao Samdal Aji Baj Xukhare Panchayatiraj.”

English translation – The king of the public is my The citizen of the public is my Happiness of Panchayatiraj Built freedom, built soldiers Be procession today outside Happiness of Panchayatiraj

Rabha was a tremendous poet too. He was awarded the title of “Kalaguru” (the master of the arts) by Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan at Hindu University, Varanasi for mesmerizing “Tandava” dance of Lord Shiva. He was inferred to be able to attain 64 arts like Shri Krishna’s “The Lord”. Bishnu Rabha’s many songs are flush related to the beauty of nature. That is to say, all of Rabha’s songs have the scent of homespun Assam. The pictures of the common men’s poorness sympathy in front of his eyes made him sorrowful. His eye had a dream of freedom. He was the priest of beauty. In Rabha’s view, the light of the day and the darkness of the night are all for us. It does not mean any kind of variety, geographical boundaries; the same is the joy and sorrow of all people.

V. CONCLUSION Rabha is an eminent cultural figure, revolutionary leader or freedom fighter and a pioneer of Assamese art, and culture. He deviated from the ideology of the regnant class and the patrician middle class. Rabha took recourse to Marxism and Leninism. Then he became a follower of socialism. When India got independence (15th august, 1947), he declared that this independence was nothing. So, he hoisted a black flag on 15th august, 1947 at Digheli in Assam. At that time, he shouted the slogan “Yeh Aajadi Jutha Hain”; this sentence means that this is fake independence. Losing his faith in the native independent Indian government, he decided to take the sides of the poor, downtrodden labourers, farmers and joined the communist party. He exhibited an interest in the egalitarian thoughts of Marxism in 1949s. The foremost primary concern in Rabha’s thoughts was built a beautiful society that forms based on equality irrespective of the differences between caste and creed, religion and race, high class and low class. He struggled every time not only for Assamese people but for the people of entire India also.

REFERENCES 1. Bhattacharya, Nalinidhar (Ed.). Bishnu Prasad Rabha: Jiban Aru Kriti. Rajgarh, : Cetana Prakash, First edition, 1985. 2. Baishya, Gobinda. “Bishnu Prasad Rabha – A Revolutionary Spirit of India: A Study”, Journal of Xi’an University of Architecture & Technology. Volume XII, Issue III, 2020. 3. Das, Jogesh (Ed.). Bishnu Prasad Rabha Rachana Sambhar (part 2). Tezpur: Rabha Rachanavali Prakashan Sangha, Second edition, 2008.

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4. Das, Tilak. Bishnu Rabha, Atia Kiman Rati.Guwahati Bookstall. First edition, 1977. 5. Das, Tilak. Kalaguru Bishnu Rabha. : Banalata, 1988. 6. Das, Babul. Kalyan Kharman. Student Stores. First edition, 2002. 7. Gohain, Hiren. Sainik Silpi Bishnu Rabha. Guwahati:Journal Emporium.First edition, 2014. 8. Hazarika, P. and Prasad Nath, D. 2007, “Bishnuprasad Rabha as Cultural Icon of Assam: The Process of Meaning Making”, Cosmopolitan Civil Societies: an Interdisciplinary Journal. 9(1), 60-76. https://epress.lib.uts.edu.au/journals/index. 9. Hossain, Ismail. Bishnu Rabhar Jeevan aru Darshan. Guwahati: Jyoti Prakashan, 2017. 10. Pathok, Jayanta. “Concern of Bishnu Prasad Rabha for the Emancipation and Development of Indian Women: an Analytical Study of Rabha’s Works”, International Journal of Research & Review. Vol.6: 10; October 2019. https://www.ijrrjournal.com/IJRR-Vol.6- Issue.10-Oct2019/Abstract-IJRR0049.html 11. Raychoudhuri, Anil. “Asomar Samajik Patsbhumit Bishnu Prasad Rabhar Jiwan-Darshan”, Gariyoshi. December, 2007. Pp. 25-31

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