Spring Festival and Its Impact on Bengalis of India and Bangladesh

 

Basanta Utsav (Spring Festival) is around the corner. It is on seventh day of the said month under English calendar year the festival will be celebrated. So long Bengalis were reeling under severe cold wave. The chilling wave was so severe that we were not in a position to expose ourselves in the mist of nature. In all Bengalis face six seasons every year. Within space of one and half month, Bengali New Year or Pohela Boishakh will be celebrated. Each season of Bengal have its different impact on Bengalis of both sides of fence. In this regard, Bengalis are referred to as that of citizens of India and Bangladesh. Despite political boundaries, Bengalis will remain under one banner till our last breath in this earth. Thus Bosonto Utsav or Spring festival cast a special impact upon human mind and body. The other seasons which Bengalis face every year are, grishmo or summer, borsha or rainy/monsoon season, shorot or autumn season, hemonto or dry season and shit or winter season. Now coming to the key aspect of my piece.

 ThusBosonto Utsav or spring season, has its origination in Shantiniketan, in Birbhum district of Indian state of West Bengal. It is the abode of peace of Nobel Laureate in Literature Rabindra Nath Tagore. The said festival is the celebration of festival of spring. In other parts of India, this festival is celebrated as ‘Holi’. The festival is celebrated by Viswabharati University, Shantiniketan every year withmelody of Rabindra Sangeet by vocalists of Sangeet Bhavan along with dance performances by the music and dance department students of Viswabharati University, Shantiniketan. In the same manner the day is celebrated at Dhaka University by the students of music and dance department. This imbibes bonds of friendships and fraternities among all sections of our societies. Thus in the subsequent paragraph it is my earnest endeavor to trace out the impact of Basanta Utsav on Bengalis of both sides of the fence.

As I write about Basanta Utsav, it would be unethical on my part if I don’t state a history of the festival. It was way back in the early decade of twenties Basanta Utsav has its origination at Shantiniketan. Rabindra Nath Tagore was brain behind it. It was through his initiative he introduced new dresses for children. As children wear new dresses the smiles which are generated in them bears a unique impact upon human empowerment. This should be mandatory among all human beings. Historically we all aware off that Viswabharati University was opened in the year 1921 on December 21.

As already narrated Basanta Utsav indicates the celebration of spring. It gives glaring ideas about the celebration of spring in broader perspectives. Whenever when the spring season arrives in India and Bangladesh, every year, there is a romantic feeling generated in the mind and heart of Bengalis of both South Asian nation. It is through the festival of spring season or basanta utsav humanity generates love for nature. Through this inclination to nature, humanity derives new hopes and aspirations in the upcoming days of our life. In the Indian state of West Bengal and neighboring Bangladesh, celebration of Basanta Utsav bears a special significance among Bengalis. Anyhow despite political boundaries, poet, thinker and philosopher of repute plus Nobel Laureate in literature, Rabindra Nath Tagore till date remains close to the hearts of citizens.

His poetries, novels, short stories and composition of music still remains deeply embedded in the mind and hearts of Bengalis in both nations. In Shantiniketan, early morning dance and musical rendition by students of music and dance department of Viswabharati University’s Sangeet Bhavan enthralls huge numbers of visitors from all around the country as well as from various overseas destinations. In our neighboring Bangladesh, the students of music and dance departmentof Dhaka University stages dramatic performance in the main auditorium. The performance draws huge gathering from all departments of DU as well as from other main universities of Bangladesh. In the midst of celebrations at Dhaka University there is no religious bar. Entire humanity seem to be converge under one umbrella.

Poet Rabindra Nath Tagore composed famous songs pertaining to Basanta Utsav. It was the brain child of the poet who began the festivity by planting a tree sapling within the courtyard of Viswabharati University. The colors which are sprinkled on our body indicates feeling of oneness among all of us.
Different songs composed by poet Rabindra Nath Tagore are as such, Ore Bhai Phagun Legeche Bone,Aji Dokhino Duyar Khola, Ore Grihobashi KholDwarKhol, AmraNutanJoubaneriDut, Dui Hate KalerMondira Je, RongLagale Bone Bone, AjSabarRongeRongMesathe Hobe etc various other Rabindra Sangeet composed by Gurudev Rabindra Nath Tagore.

Now society has reached to such a state of affairs festivity of the type of Basanta Utsav or Dol Yatra and Holi (in Northern part of India) seems to be very much relevant. It is through the Basanta Utsav human feelings are generated as such that creates positive feelings upon all of us. We should not have vices on human beings, rather there should be cordial feelings between people of religions and languages in India and Bangladesh.

Basically Basanta Utsav is no less different from Holi which is celebrated in other states of India apart from West Bengal. I once repeat that human beings should derive positive frame of mind so that we should work jointly coordinately with people of other religions and languages of India and Bangladesh. That is why it is felt deeply that Bengalis of India and Bangladesh, who resides in other parts of the globe, work as a team without any discriminatory and pejorative feelings among each other.

Rabindra Nath Tagore thought of Basanta Utsav as a form of energizer to the humanity. He felt that though human beings always suffer from various types of reverses in life throughout the year. But when we celebrate Basanta Utsav on the day of Holi, we feel derive new life and energy. This is no doubt a motivating factor in our life. The phagun or color which is sprinkled in our body, signifies new hopes and strength in our life. We thus hope upcoming days will be memorable and eventful for us.

Basanta Utsav in both India and Bangladesh have now become part and parcel of Bengali culture and heritage. What is most urgently required feelings of oneness among all is urgently required. Otherwise Bengali culture might get lost in the wilderness. Thus the impact of Basanta Utsav has its wide-ranging impact on Bengalis of India and Bangladesh.


Sujayendra Das is a columnist
based in Kolkata, India.