Published: 06:55 AM, 05 April 2025
Sanjida Khatun: A Talented Icon in The World of Bengali Culture
The beginning of the English calendar Year 2025 and the end of Bengali Calendar Year 1431 should be treated as phase of utter dismay and sorrowful. It was just on the 25th day of March 25, we lost an icon in the world of Rabindra Sangeet Sanjida Khatun due to age related indisposition. My respected online readers of both India and Bangladesh might opine that why I generated the above feeling upon us that she was a talented icon in the world of Bengali culture who preached the positives of life.
Dr Sanjida Khatun was born in the year 1933 on April 4 whose creative pursuits ended on March 25. She was born in such an erudite family, which motivated her to preach to the humanities in the modern age about the positives of life. My elite online readers might wonder might utter that why this writer uttered the above encomium in the hearts of cultural loving Bengalis.
Sanjida Khatun was not only closer to the heart of Bengalis of Bangladesh, but also to the heart of Bengalis of Indian states of West Bengal and Tripura plus other parts of India.
There is a logic always generates in the mind of Bengalis of above Indian states about the division of Bengali language and culture way back in the year 1947 on August 14. If I tend to probe deeply about my thoughts. Then it might generate feelings of acrimony and vices among the Bengalis of both nations. Sanjida di or Sanjida Mashima as she was fondly recalled, always preached that Bengalis despite facing the onslaught of political bifurcations due to the impact of the Independence of India in the year 1947. Should remain united under one banner throughout our lifetime.
Sanjida Khatun’s or Mashima’s life was so unique that was well appreciated by cultural loving Bengalis based on both sides of the fence. Despite having a nonagerian longevity, she always preached that we should always think positives of life through the gospel of Rabindranath Tagore. Throughout her prolonged life she felt deeply we must treat the philosophies of Gurudev as an integral part of our life. Not only the philosophies are incurred into, along with the literature and songs composed by Rabindranath Tagore are no less irrelevant. She was very dear to heart of Shantiniketan, an abode of peace which was coined in the hearts of Bengalis based in India, Bangladesh plus rest of the globe.
Sanjida Khatun was born in such a familial ambience which produced galaxies of talents like Kazi Motahar Hussian along with various others. Apart from being a well-known Rabindrasangeet singer of repute, she was also a well reputed scholar in its highest esteem.
Dr Khatun had her vocal musical training from Viswa Bharati University, India along a Masters in Bengali literature. She wrote various books pertaining to Bengali literature. Thus the lists of books on Bengali literature are stated as such,
Kabi Satyendra Nath Datta
Shantiniketaner Dinguli (Anecdotes about Shantinketan)
Jibanbrittanto (The cycle of life)
Rabindranath Ebong Rabindranath (Rabindranath and Rabindranath)
Janani Janmobhumi (Mother and Motherland)
Sahitya Kotha and Sanskriti Kotha (Discourse on literature and culture)
Swadhinatar Abhijatra (The journey to Independence)
Atit Diner Smriti (Memories of Bygone days)
Rabindranath: Bibidha Sandhane (Rabindranath: various explorations).
Dhanir Kotha o Abrittir Kotha (The story of sound and recitation)
Apart from the above, Sanjida Khatun had the privilege of being bestowed so many adulations as token of sincerity along with her creative persons. The lists of elucidation which was earned by Late vocal musicians are stated as follow:
Padmashree by the government of India.
Brac Samakal literary award
Bangla Academy literary award
Ekushey Padak
From another perspective, it would be unethical if we ignore another positive qualities of this dynamic and ethical lady. During her prolonged longevity in this earth, Mashima as she always preached to the humanity around us. That we should always feel all of us be happy in life and always pray for human welfare. The way the function of modern society is leading to, which seems in the mind of all rational and ethical minded citizens an example of utter despondency. Now the political and economic culture around global societies have become so deeply corrosive. In this regard, this writer would like to emphasise upon current situations in India and Bangladesh. In these circumstances my elite readers might wonder why I uttered so. To be more introspective, I feel Rabindranath Tagore was such a sparkling personality in the mind of citizens of the globe, who always propagated for the purity and salvation of the societies. Unfortunately the citizens of both India and Bangladesh till date could not come across its fullest utilisations for the development of human societies in both nations.
What is happening in Bangladesh and India (partly) speaks badly about the deterioration of the inherent culture of both nations. As Rabindranath Tagore, the Nobel Laureate in literature inclusive of all his creative activities has become deeply embedded in the mind and heart of Bengalis of India and Bangladesh. The way political stalemate has become embedded in the mind and heart of Bengalis of both nations. As India is a vast nation, there are traces of more or less widespread political stalemate in quite good parts of India. In rest of the nation, the situation is more or less stable in other parts of India. Coming to the Bangladesh episode, we find that the situations are terrible and scary. The current turmoil began since August 5, 2024, but till date it has not yet subsided. Very pity has been mooted by the common citizens of both India and Bangladesh. That means common people of both nations are very much against fissiparous mental makeup. Hence the pure soul of Late Sanjida Mashima will remain immersed in the heart and soul (of not only lovers of Tagore music in Bangladesh), but also upon Bengalis of India as well as that of the entire globe. Talented citizens of any academic and corporate plus creative discipline will always remain immersed on humanity’s heart and mind forever.
Dr Sanjida Khatun in her prolonged longevity had been extremely fortunate to mix with people of diverse academic and professional disciplines of repute. Whomsoever she came into contact, she was cordially welcomed by the opponent.
This writer being an Indian national by birth from Kolkata. But I am proud to admit candidly that there was a cross section of fans in different parts of the nation. Basic reason judging by my discourse is that she was such an amiable personality on account of which she became very close to the hearts and minds of people of India and Bangladesh plus Bengalis settled in other parts of the globe. That clearly reflected to my mind the way all Tagore lovers of Bangladesh along with neighbouring India paid their homages towards this pious soul. Without any trace of doubt, I should emphasise that amiability and cordiality were her forte till the last breath of her much adored creative life.
This writer also saw that the way sea of humanities paid their homage to this talented soul of the Sub-Continent at both Chayanat and Sahid Minar. Really that was a memorable moments to reckon with. As Bangladesh is in the throes of severe political turmoil, hence in this traumatic moments I would reiterate that Mashima despite having departed for eternal peace. But she will remain immersed in the mind and heart of all her ardent admirers of India and Bangladesh. As days pass off Sanjida Mashima cannot be forgotten by Tagore lovers of Bangladesh, India plus rest of the globe. It is our sincerest hopes and desires. That she continues to bless the younger generation Rabindra Sangeet vocalists and also creative personalities of both nations. The noble institution by the name of Chaya Nat which she set up in Dhanmondi will continue to prosper during the upcoming days of life. It is our sincerest good wishes that noble legacies should be upholded by the family members, her students plus all her ardent admirers based in India and Bangladesh. In the end I convey deepest homage upon the pure soul of Sanjida Khatun. She will never be forgotten rather continued to be immersed in our mind and heart.
Sujayendra Das is a columnist based
in Kolkata, India.
