Artist's responsibility to protect freedom

Freedom is an inevitable companion for every individual. For that freedom, we have fought for thousands of years. The history of that struggle is not just known to us; the whole world knows it. We are fortunate; we have found someone whose birth was necessary for our freedom. We do not know how much longer we would have suffered under oppression! The great leader, the father of the nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, showed us the dream of that freedom and brought it to us.

After the creation of Pakistan in 1947, he immediately said, 'We are once again under a new subjugation.' The anti-British struggle lasted for more than two decades. Our poets have sung songs of breaking the shackles of oppression. Especially Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam. To build a nation free from subjugation, hundreds and thousands of intellectuals have illuminated our lives with the light of art. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman established it politically for the first time.

After achieving independence, after the liberation war of 1971, the feeling has awakened throughout the country that we are now one family. Why did this feeling arise? Because we too fought. We too struggled. Through the long battle, we have come together under one ideology. Before this, there was confusion among us, whether we are Bengali or Muslim, or simply human beings, or something else entirely? The Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, clarified what our national identity would be, what our self-identity would be.

He said, 'I am Bengali, I am Muslim, I am human.' What he meant was that my religious identity will be in the middle; however, our identity as Bengalis and as human beings comes before everything else. This identity is for everyone. That philosophy - 'Man above everything, Man above nations' - Bangabandhu expressed in his 'Unfinished Memoirs'. This is not just about individual psychology; it's about equality. Without establishing equality, freedom cannot be achieved. He provided the path for the self-identity of every individual in Bangladesh. It is from this self-identity that freedom is attained.

In the nine months of the Liberation War, we did not only fight against the Pakistani oppressors. We fought alongside many major powers of the world. Understanding geo-politics is crucial in the context of the Liberation War. During the Liberation War, several major countries of the world did not remain impartial. Those who were against us, the hostile forces who committed genocide, they openly sided with them. Not only sides, but the anti-liberation forces in Bangladesh seemed to have been specially empowered, they worked in that manner. The Seventh Fleet was sent against us here. If at that time we did not have the support of two major countries, our independence would have been much harder to achieve in nine months.

After independence, significant events unfolded within the first three years. From independence until August 15, 1975, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman lived for only three and a half years. These three and a half years were crucial. It is important to understand the roles played by different individuals among us Bengalis during this time. Throughout these three and a half years, he was not allowed to stay in peace. When a poor country was being transformed into a middle-income country, that's when the entire family was massacred. This claim is supported by much analysis. It's not just about killing one Bangabandhu, but there is a claim in much analysis that there was a plan behind it to kill everyone in his family.

I am essentially an artist, a person of art, a cultural worker. My responsibility is to advocate through the light of art, the language of struggle. Freedom through the light of art. Bangabandhu through the light of art. Sheikh Hasina through the light of art. In other words, my work is to present the cherished dreams of Bangabandhu before the people through art. Because Bangabandhu's dreams mean the dreams of Bangladesh. The well-being of the people of Bengal.

Several artistic creations have been made depicting Bangabandhu. However, there should be more diverse forms of art created to honor his legacy. That's why since 1975, I have been working on various artistic endeavors. I also advocate for the continuity of this trend in art academies. Why? Because the power of art is immense. Our Prime Minister said, "In my 10 speeches, what cannot happen, a craft becomes ten times more powerful than what it desires to do. What a remarkable insight!

To awaken the power of that art, I have been working since the post-75 period. I was a cultural editor for DUCSU. I have served as Secretary-General and Chairman of the Group Theater Federation several times, always carrying out this task.

In the art gallery of fine arts, there wasn't a picture of Bangabandhu. Now there are almost four thousand pictures. Many Bangabandhu corners have been created, we have created too. I can proudly say that we have the largest collection of books in Bangabandhu Corner's Academy. We have collected around 1800 books. More collections are underway. It will reach two thousand at any time.

The largest collection was at Dhaka University. Researchers are saying that the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy has surpassed that. We haven't just organized the collection of books or libraries. We are reviewing each book. By reviewing 100 books, we are publishing articles together and compiling them into one book. Seven volumes have been published. Seven volumes mean evaluation of 700 books.

These evaluations provide comprehensive information about Bangabandhu's entire life. It helps us understand if there are any missing pieces of information or if anyone has copied and pasted content. We want to ensure that there are no inaccuracies in the writings about such a great leader.

We have also published many books ourselves. Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy has played the largest role in commemorating Bangabandhu's centennial birth anniversary. In every field. Now, what we are doing is, I have written a monodrama about ‘Renur Shesh Shyandha’ (Last evening of Renu), where I will explore the unspoken words of those three and a half years. He has written something in "Ashamapto Attojiboni". He couldn't write anymore. The rest of the words will be extracted from Bangamata's statements.

I am saying this because without this analysis, I cannot be a patriot. I cannot become a fighter for the future. It is very important to know the history of those three and a half years in the words of Bangamata for the liberation of the people of this country.

Now that we don't have Bangabandhu, Rabindranath, Nazrul, or Lalon Saiji. We don't have our Sukanta. Sukanta dreamed, Ae Bishwake Ae shishur bashjoggo kore jabo ami/ Nabojatoker kachhe e amar driro anggikar! This direction is towards us. Each of their words is a sacred message, a sacred guidance, I believe.

Bangabandhu used the term "struggle for liberation" to encompass the broader struggle for freedom, encompassing not just the struggle for independence from colonial rule but also liberation from all forms of oppression and exploitation. By using the term "struggle for liberation," he highlighted the multidimensional nature of the fight for freedom, which goes beyond merely breaking the chains of colonialism to include emancipation from socio-economic inequalities, cultural subjugation, and political tyranny. This struggle for liberation continues to be relevant today as we strive to break free from various forms of oppression and build a more just and equitable society.

After 53 years of independence, why is the anti-independence force rising again? This is because they are no less powerful. They still do not accept the independence of this country. The fact that they are not accepting it means that there is a conspiracy inside this country. They are doing whatever they want. Their allies are also strong. They are also getting support from allies. They want to keep this country under subjugation. They are working as players of geo-politics, non-politics.

Bangabandhu said, "I am Bengali, I am Muslim, I am human." From my perspective, anyone can say, "I am Bengali, I am Hindu, I am human," or "I am Bengali, I am Christian, I am human," or "I am Bengali, I am Buddhist, I am human." Or even "I am a person of the small ethnic groups of Bangladesh, but we all love our country." "Ma tor badonkhani molin hole Ami noyon jole bhashi"-this sentiment resonates with all of us. First and foremost, we are all patriots, devoted to the people of our country. No deceitful games of non-political maneuvers will be tolerated against our motherland.

I believe that initiating a new cultural movement is very important. With this mindset, we are engaging in the art of mass awakening. We must fight against those who oppose Bangladesh's independence and Bengali culture. How will our fight be now? Can we say that we will return to the situation of '71? Will we be oppressed again?

Some people want to make this country subservient again. They fail to understand where we are being led! Will they believe that we are not Bangladesh anymore, but will regress into a Pakistani mindset? A prominent leader of a major political party once stated, "Pakistan was better off under my rule." This statement carries significant implications. If you did not participate in the language movement or the liberation war, then what right do you have to make such statements?

Now if there was language movement, liberation war, I believe, you would have language movement, liberation war. Now the same war is going on, why are you not fighting that war? That battle is that nothing can hold us back.

It is true that our Bengali language was not considered, and English education was prohibited, but that setback occurred almost a century ago. We fell behind. The prevalence of education among us began with the previous generation. In that context, it must be understood that this is a much larger movement. As a cultural worker in this movement, I have been able to make our artists understand that I am an artist, I am my leader. Our responsibility is immense.

Wherever an artist resides, their excellence will be achieved from there. They will grow bigger and make significant contributions. Empowerment in art and literature, the artistic movement for awakening – this is my inspiration now. I want to move forward with this power. I wish for all the artists of the country to be my companions on this journey.

The work of artists is significant. They portray the joys, sorrows, laughter, and tears of people through art and culture. Artists mingle with farmers and laborers, listen to their stories of hardship, learn about their dreams, and convey them to everyone. Artists show dreams. What the children of this country, the farmers, the laborers, and the hardworking people think, that is what poets, writers, and artists bring to life. Rabindranath and Nazrul have expressed the dreams of the people. That's why Bangabandhu considered the writings of Rabindranath and Nazrul as inspiration.

As Bangabandhu used to fulfill people's dreams, our current Prime Minister is also following the same path. She endeavors to realize the dreams of the people. What is the responsibility of artists and writers? I believe that wherever artists, poets, and writers are, they are fulfilling their responsibilities. It is because of them that light still shines in this country.

Now the biggest crisis is that my opponent is almost invisible. I fought against Pakistani invaders, then my enemy was identified. Even after the war of liberation, we have known Razakar, Albadar, Alshams and fought against them; But now identifying the enemy has become a bit difficult. Now the enemy is living in my house. Living in my society. Enemies can be my relatives and friends now. I can be my own enemy. Because I'm confused. I am destroying myself by being hesitant. It is a big crisis now.

Navigating through this crisis requires self-confidence, self-respect, self-awareness, and self-knowledge. Understanding oneself is crucial. As Socrates said, "Know thyself." However, knowing oneself is not an easy task. There's a popular Bengali song that goes, "Who am I, and who is my heart? I still can't recognize my own heart." The reason this song has become so popular is that everyone searches for themselves, but many struggle to find themselves. Even to recognize oneself, practice is necessary.

We are now witnessing a famine of taste," said Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin. He mentioned, "I painted pictures of famine so that people would not have to witness it, but I cannot understand how the famine of taste will be overcome.

We used to hear about a society divided by class in political speeches. I believe now our bigger crisis is a 'society divided by taste.' People have become so divided in their tastes. What I said earlier, after the liberation war, after December 16, the feeling we had, now we were one family, but now we are no longer one family.

We have been divided into so many families! Mixing various tastes and biases, we are divided in duality. I will say it again, what is the measure of taste or bias? The measure is my consciousness of the liberation war. Humanity is above everything. Social equality. Democracy. Nationalism. And secularism.

After all these years, why should we beat the drum of secularism? We fought for the formation of a secular society-nation, and we fought for thousands of years. Battles have been fought over religion, conflicts have arisen, and then we have joined hands and said, 'Humanity is above everything.' This is my religion, this is my philosophy.

In that regard, the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy is working to create a major awakening at that place. We have united nearly 70,000 artists in Bangladesh. We have been able to successfully conclude the first phase. We have all been able to come to a consensus, and now those who will fight the war will be the artists of the awakening. They are not just freedom fighters, they are linguistic soldiers, they are artists of the awakening. This will be their identity.

For this, there is no need to establish any cultural organization or to adhere to any leader. They will lead themselves. I write poetry, and I will write even better poetry. My poetry will enlighten people, create awakening within them, and that is how the welfare of the country, the nation, and society will be achieved.

The second phase of this movement is now underway. Ahead, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy is going to celebrate its golden jubilee. We will strive to bring one lakh artists to one platform within a year by creating an artist database. These artists will contribute to the progress of society. In society, we often only discuss problems without anyone stepping forward to solve them. We have identified 365 major problems to address first. We are collecting these problems from children. With their identified 365 issues, we will devise a plan of action.

Why 365 problems? Because there are 365 days in a year. In this one year, we will work on these issues under the leadership of children. We will stand behind the children. They will tell us what problems they face. No one can ignore the children's concerns, not even their parents. Because parents' only expectation is the fulfillment of their children's hopes and aspirations. And when children say, 'Dad, you made this mistake, or someone else did,' we do not want these mistakes. Because by 2041, we want to transform into an advanced nation without obstacles. This is a significant task for us. I speak on behalf of all the artists of Bangladesh. What do artists want? They want to achieve bigger things this year than what they did last year. We will stand by them.

Now the point is, are the numerous cultural organizations in a country of nearly 17 crore people sufficient? Certainly not. We need many more organizations. These organizations must be innovative. They will not serve themselves but will be dedicated to serving the people, promoting excellence in the arts.

They will sacrifice themselves for the people. Just as our language martyrs, the martyrs of the Liberation War, and our mothers and sisters did during the Liberation War. With that kind of spirit, we must leap into a struggle.

We have already taken a leap forward within this. Speeding up this work is our main goal. When we say Independence Day or any national day, our main objective is to accelerate this. This movement will continue for the next 17 years.

We are emphasizing the art of awakening the masses, focusing on children, adolescents, and youth. We will reach every school in the country. They want to know the truth. They want to love their country. They want to pay homage to the martyrs of the country. They will lead in the future.

We will work together by organizing children's organizations and uniting artists. Just as the government has projects like ensuring hundred percent education coverage, bringing electricity to every household, similarly, efforts must be made to illuminate the hearts of all people. When a person possesses artistic qualities, they become a golden individual.

We used to use coal stoves before. When a little fire ignited in the middle of the coal, if we blew air there, gradually the fire would spread. We want to create such airflow in society.

Author: Ritwik Natyapran and Director-General, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.