Sadi Mohammad's suicide and the nation’s negligence

I am not a musician. I am a music enthusiast. I love listening to songs. Even though I am a music lover, I do not enjoy all types of songs. I seldom listen to band music. I listen to Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrul Geeti. I listen to Atulprasad, Rajanikanta, D.L. Roy, old and modern folk songs. I am particularly attracted to Rabindra Sangeet. I may not always understand Tagore's lyrics, but the melody captivates me.

Not everyone is like me. I don't think my son Arnab has ever listened to Rabindra Sangeet or Nazrul Geeti. My daughter Oishi practices Rabindra Sangeet upon my request. Our close relative, the former principal of Nizamuddin College, believed that the tune of all Tagore songs is the same. He couldn't differentiate when the song changed on a long player. On the other hand, my brother Mahiuddin Ahmad wanted to live longer just to listen to Rabindra Sangeet. I used to commute from Dhaka to Takshal for work almost every day. During the journey, for the past ten years, I have been listening to songs sitting in the car. Most of the songs were sung by Sadi Mohammad. Sadi Mohammad was primarily a Rabindra Sangeet artist. On Wednesday, March 13, 2024, in the evening, the body of artist Sadi Mohammad was recovered in a dilapidated condition at their own home. On the day of his death, he observed fasting and also broke it with Iftar; then he committed suicide.

According to their closest relative, the dance artist Shamin Ara Nipar, since her mother's death last year, Sadi Mohammad had withdrawn himself from everything. He was filled with despair at his mother's death. After his father's death, his mother supported ten children by sewing clothes and educating them. After losing his mother, Sadi Mohammad financially supported his ten siblings and their education by sewing clothes. Losing his mother has shattered Sadi Mohammad mentally, perhaps leading him to the path of suicide.

However, the death of his mother is not considered the sole reason for Sadi Mohammad's suicide. Many said that Sadi had gone mad long before. Questions have often been raised before Sadi regarding why he hadn't gone insane earlier. Let's delve into the incident this time. Sadi's father, Mohammad Salimullah, was a devout religious person. He used to perform the five daily prayers at the mosque. In order to pray at the mosque, he even built a house next to it.

On March 26, 1971, Friday, Mohammad Salimullah went to the mosque to perform the Jumma prayer. Gunshots were heard from the neighboring non-Bengali house. After the prayer, the non-Bengalis of the neighborhood announced through the mosque's microphone that shots had been fired from the direction of Salimullah's house towards the mosque. Alleging an attack in religious fervor, the non-Bengalis set fire to Salimullah's house by pouring petrol. Family members of Sadi tried to survive by hiding on the roof of the neighboring house. Sadi's mother broke both her legs while trying to escape. At the age of 96, she passed away last year. Despite being wheelchair-bound, she managed to survive the arson attack. Seeking refuge in the adjacent vacant house, Sadi and his father were attacked from behind by a Punjabi officer of the Pakistan Air Force. Salimullah fell to the ground screaming, being stabbed from behind. Sadi grabbed his little hand, squeezing out blood, while his father pushed him away, saying, "You flee." While fleeing, Sadi saw his uncle being murdered with an axe. He witnessed his younger brother being buried alive in the ground like a cow. In addition to these harrowing scenes, Sadi's sanity has been questioned. Even if Sadi wasn't insane, it's hard to believe he led a normal life after witnessing such scenes.

Sadi Mohammad was born in 1957. In 1973, he enrolled in the Civil Engineering Department at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), but he left for Santiniketan, India in 1975 without completing his studies. He graduated and post-graduated in Rabindra Sangeet from Visva-Bharati. There, he learned music from Shantideb Ghosh and Kanika Bandyopadhyay. He has more than sixty albums of songs. Sadi Mohammad was simultaneously a singer, teacher, and composer. Despite being a talented figure in the world of music, he was not considered for any national awards.

The disappointment of not receiving a national award may have deepened his despair. Those who have received national awards are not necessarily more talented than Sadi. Sadi's contribution to the world of Bangladeshi music is unparalleled. Many less important personalities have been recognized by the state, adorning them with various awards. His younger brother, dancer Shibli Mohammad, receiving the Ekushey Padak last year, has further accentuated Sadi's disappointment. Though pleased with his younger brother's national recognition, Sadi didn't seem eager to attend the award ceremony. He told his brother, "When you receive it, I'll be rewarded."

It is not necessary to be a supporter of the government to receive awards; rather, having political influence often plays a crucial role. Hence, in 1980, the 'Independence' award was given to Pir Abu Saleh Mohammad Jafor, a prominent opponent of the Liberation War. Similarly, in 1977, Abdul Hamid, a convicted criminal under the Collaborators Act, was awarded the 'Ekushey Padak' in journalism. Many argue that the 'Independence' award has been bestowed upon individuals who had no involvement in the language movement or the liberation struggle. There is further controversy as all governments have belittled the language movement and the liberation war by awarding their own acquaintances with the 'Ekushey' and 'Independence' awards.

Moreover, the process of nomination and selection for national awards is not always fair. Many deserving individuals do not express interest in receiving awards. There is a strained relationship between Sadi's family and the current government, or so it is claimed. Therefore, Sadi did not receive national recognition. Despite their contribution to the independence movement, the family's ties to the current government are non-existent. Sadi's father was the president of Mohammadpur Thana Awami League. He was martyred on the first day of the Liberation War. His body was never found, but a road in Mohammadpur has been named after him. The Sadi family's house on Tajmahal Road in Mohammadpur was the epicenter of the liberation struggle. Many top leaders, including Sheikh Kamal, used to frequent their house.

Even on the night of March 25, 1971, at Bangabandhu's directive, prominent Awami League leaders attended a gathering at Sadi's house to establish friendly relations between Bengalis and non-Bengalis. On March 23, on Pakistan's national day, Bangladeshi flags flew from the roof of their house, sewn by Sadi's mother, Jebunnesa Salimullah. This raises the question of why Sadi did not receive a national award. His family's contribution to the liberation war is undeniable, and they are unknown to the current government. Sadi's significant contributions to the world of music could have warranted national recognition, which would have been received with joy by the people. The consideration for awarding people while they are alive, instead of posthumously, does not seem apparent. The Nobel Prize, for instance, is not awarded posthumously. Many in Bangladesh have received multiple national awards. Many do not wish to die without receiving the 'Swadhinata' award even after receiving the Bangla Academy or Ekushey Padak. Some have received it, but why? Why have so many worthy individuals in the country been neglected for awards? This mentality of adorning the same person with all awards, disregarding the contributions of millions of people in the liberation war, must be abandoned. It reflects the nation's servility.

Mentioning the disappointment felt by many artists due to the denial of national recognition for Sadi's death through social media has struck a blow to their self-esteem. They argue that true artists never seek fame, acquisition, or awards. They are also expressing another concern now. That is, claiming for posthumous awards or national recognition diminishes Sadi's stature. We, the common people, do not agree with that. Almost everyone is advocating for Sadi Mohammad, stating that what Sadi deserved for national recognition is reflected in everyone's writings. Those who are true artists have the right to receive recognition. National recognition is not an act of charity but a recognition of one's work. To rectify the nation's mistakes, everyone needs to be more attentive. Even if not awarded national recognition, this great musician bid farewell to his millions of admirers with heartfelt affection. By awarding him a posthumous award, it's like not insulting him for the second time. Sadi Mohammad, the artist, will live on for ages in the love of countless people at home and abroad.

Author: Former Executive Director, Bangladesh Bank and Former Managing Director, Mint.