Lyricist Atul Prasad Sen's death anniversary today

Today marks the death anniversary of Atul Prasad Sen, the renowned Bengali lyricist, composer, and poet, best known for the iconic patriotic song "Moder Gorob, Moder Asha, A-Mori Bangla Bhasha".

He passed away on this day in 1934 in Lucknow, and his ashes were later buried at the premises of Kaoraid Brahmo Samaj Mandir in Gazipur.

Atul Prasad Sen, born on October 20, 1871, in Matuail, Dhaka, was a pioneer in modern Bengali music. He introduced Hindustani classical elements such as Thumri, Dadra, and Khayal into Bengali songs, making him the first to compose Bengali ghazals. His works span patriotic, devotional, romantic, and philosophical themes—classified into five categories: Debota, Prokriti, Swadesh, Manob, and Bibidh. His emotionally rich and musically sophisticated compositions earned lasting recognition as "Atulprasad's songs."

He was raised by his maternal grandfather Kalinarayan Gupta, a singer and composer of devotional songs, who greatly influenced his early musical journey. Atul Prasad Sen later studied at Presidency College in the then kolkata and went on to become a barrister from the Middle Temple in London, where he developed close ties with national leaders like Chittaranjan Das, Aurobindo Ghosh, and Sarojini Naidu.

After returning to India, he settled in Lucknow and gained repute both as a lawyer and a cultural figure. The first gramophone records of his songs, performed by Sahana Debi and Haren Chattopadhyay, were released in 1922–23. His most celebrated compilation, 'Gitipunjo, was published in 1931. Of the roughly 206 songs he wrote, 50–60 remain widely popular to this day.

Sen's songs played a significant role in inspiring the nationalist movement and later the Liberation War of Bangladesh. His work also influenced many subsequent artists, including the national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.

On his death anniversary, tributes are being paid to Atul Prasad Sen for his immense contribution to Bengali literature and music.