Bangladesh Studies O Level (7094) Pilot Textbook Topic 1 (a) Influence of major cultural figures Purpose of this chapter This chapter covers Topic 1 of the five History & Culture Topics in the syllabus for the Cambridge GCE Ordinary Level Bangladesh Studies (syllabus 7094, Paper 1). It introduces candidates to: the influence of major cultural figures (Topic 1a) a general background of key developments in Bengali language, literature, art, architecture, folk culture and other cultural practices that shape the culture of Bangladesh (Topic 1b). Teachers should note that the material provided here should form the basis of what is needed to answer the compulsory question in the examination. However, it is hoped that candidates will be able to draw on a wide variety of cultural experiences (by being exposed to poetry, song, dance, drama and local sites of historical interest) and on any other cultural figures to support their answers. Pictures of many cultural figures can be found in: http://banglapedia.search.com.bd Exam guidance Teachers should note that candidates should be familiar with the influence of key figures on the culture of Bangladesh. They may provide information on any key figures (e.g. those suggested in Section 1b) to support their answers, but to restrict demands made on teachers and candidates, the University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) has decided that specific questions will only be asked on the following major figures: Alaol Lalon Shah Mir Mosharraf Hossain Rabindranath Tagore Begum Rokeya Kazi Nazrul Islam Jasimuddin Zainul Abedin. Candidates are not expected to have studied the works of such exponents in detail, but should be able to comment on their contribution to developments in, for example, language, literature, drama, dance, music, painting or architecture. Topic 1a: Influence of major cultural figures Alaol Summary A seventeenth-century poet who translated famous works in Bangla as well as writing his own songs and poetry. He has a prestigious library named after him. An aristocratic background Syed Alaol is one of the most famous Bengali poets of the Middle Ages. He was born around 1607 AD. There are disagreements over the place of his birth. Some scholars suggest that he was born in Chittagong while others say Faridpur. Alaol's father was a minister of Majlish Kutub, the ruler of Fatwabad (Fatehabad). Since he was born into an aristocratic family, Alaol received a good education in his early years. He learnt Bangla, Sanskrit, Arabic and Persian languages as well as the art of war and music. Captured by pirates On one occasion when Alaol was quite young, he was going to Chittagong with his father by boat. On the way, they were attacked by Portuguese pirates. The pirates killed his father and captured him. He was sent to Arakan in Myanmar. Young Alaol found work as a bodyguard in Arakan. Later he worked as a teacher of music and dance in a well-to-do family. His poetic talent soon became well known and he was able to secure a place at the royal court of Arakan where he received royal patronage. Among his patrons were Syed Musa (Royal Minister), Solaiman (Chief Minister), Mohammad Khan (Minister of Army), Majlis Nabaraj (Minister of Taxation) and Magan Thakur, the Prime Minister and the adopted son of the king's sister. Translations and original work Alaol was a prolific writer. His most significant contributions to Bangla literature were made through translations of famous works in different languages into Bangla. His masterpiece, Padmavati, is a translation of a Hindi poem Padmavat by Malik Mohammad Jayasi. Most of his other translations were made from Persian and include Saifulmuluk Badiuzzamal, Satimayana-Lor-Chandrani, Saptapaykar, Sikandarnama and Tohfa. But Alaol also produced his own original works. These include a number of songs, mostly vaishav, and a book on the art of music, Ragtalnama. Alaol is mostly hailed as one of the great poets who introduced romantic themes in Bangla poetry. Another characteristic of his works was that though they were mostly translated from other languages, his creative touch and unique style made the works essentially the property of the Bangla language. In addition to contributing to Bangla literature, Alaol also paid attention to questions of religion and morality, which were reflected in his Tohfa. An award in his name Alaol died around 1673 in Hat Hazari of Chittagong. A prestigious literary award in his name, Alaol Sahitya Purashkar, has been introduced to recognise important works in contemporary Bangla. Comprehension Questions 1. When did Aloal live? What interesting things happened to him in his life? 2. In which areas of culture did he work? 3. Some people say Aloal is not very important because he just translated the works of other people into Bangla. This is not a correct view. Write down three reasons why he deserves to be called a major cultural figure in the history of Bangladesh. Research Task How many names can you find of contemporary writers who have received the Alaol Sahitya Purashkar? Lalon Shah Summary A baul guru born in the eighteenth century who made a major impact through his songs about equality and the meaning of human life. Unusually, his work was not written down, but was passed on by his followers. Sketch of Lalon Shah by Jotinthranath Tagor from Banglapedia, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh Bauls Lalon Shah was a legendary baul of Bangladesh. Bauls are bands of people who compose and sing devotional folk songs in the villages. Though they are generally seen all over Bangladesh, they are mostly found in the districts of Kushtia, Meherpur, Chuadanga, Jhenidah, Faridpur, Jessore and Pabna. They do not follow any specific religious belief, neither do they believe in idol worship or differences in caste or creed. They are humanists who believe that all men and women are equal. They believe that nobody is a born baul, but one needs a baul guru to become a baul. Lalon Shah was one such baul guru. Research Task and Activity Find out more about the bauls of Bangladesh. Students can form groups and act out the induction of bauls by their spiritual leaders. Abandoned and a new community Very little is known about the family background of Lalon Shah. He is said to have been born in Harishpur village in Jhenidah district in 1772 AD. Some scholars say that he was born into a Hindu Kayastha family in Bhandara village in Kushtia district. Legend has it that when he was young, he caught smallpox and was abandoned by his community. He was picked up in a critical condition by a Muslim faqir called Siraj Sain who nursed him back to health. When he went back home he was not welcome by his community. So he returned to Siraj Sain and was inducted by him and came to be known as Lalon Shah Faqir. He married a Muslim woman and set up his ashram in the village of Chheuriya to compose and practise his songs. He had a considerable number of followers who included both Hindus and Muslims. Universal spiritual songs Lalon did not receive any formal education but he had extensive knowledge of Hindu and Muslim religious traditions. He composed about two thousands spiritual songs The contents of his songs, though composed in simple words, speak of his deeper understanding of the meaning of human life and the philosophy of equality and non-communalism. Lalon's songs were created in a rural context, but the message these songs conveyed was universal in nature. Therefore he gained popularity not only among ordinary countrymen, but also among the educated urban people. It is this universal message which made Lalon's song spread far and wide but also last through the centuries. This is why Lalon had influence not only on his great contemporary, the poet Rabindranath Tagore, but also on many creative minds of today's Bangladesh. There are no written copies of Lalons songs, but they were later transmitted orally by his disciples. Lalon died on 17 October 1890 at his ashram in Chheuriya. Comprehension Questions 1. Lalon Shah was a baul guru. What does this mean? 2. Lalon Shah did not have a formal education, so why was he able to be so influential? 3. Describe at least two ways in which we can prove that Lalon was very influential. Research Task Find out some of the singers of Lalon's songs. Discussion Question Choose a partner. Here are two statements: 1. Alaol was much more important than Lalon Shah in our cultural heritage. 2. Lalon Shah was much more important than Alaol in our cultural heritage. 3. Pick one statement each and try to persuade your partner that your statement is the correct one. Mir Mosharraf Hossain Summary A nineteenth-century novelist and playwright who wrote for over 50 years on history and Islamic beliefs. He used satire to criticise wrongs in society. He has a statue erected to him in Kolkata. Picture: You can find a picture of Mir Musharraf Hossain in Banglapedia and Prothom Alo (Dhaka newspaper) in Eid Issue (November 2003) Magazine. Zamindar family Mir Mosharraf Hossain is a well-known novelist, playwright, essayist and journalist of the nineteenth century. He was born in a zamindar family in 1847 AD at Lahiripara of Kushtia. All about Mir Mosharraf Hossain's life can be found in his autobiography Amar Jiboni (My Life) and his wife's biography, Bibi Kulsum. Mir Mosharraf Hossain's early education began at home where he was taught Arabic and Persian. He learnt Bangla at a pathshala (village school). His formal education took place at Kushtia School and Krishnanagar Collegiate School. Later on he was admitted into Kolkata Kalighat School but could not complete his studies.