There were scenes of jubilation for protesters as Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country after 15 years in power. During the weekend, protesters initiated a “non-cooperation” movement, encouraging citizens to withhold taxes, utility payments, and refrain from going to work. The resulting violence over the weekend led to numerous deaths in the predominantly Muslim nation of over 160 million people.
Interestingly, one of the anthems that became an anthem of hope was Dwijendralal (DL) Ray’s Dhana Dhanya Pushpa Bhara , a Hindu pre-partition poet, musician and playwright, who is equally popular in both Bengals. As Salil Tripathi writes in Foreign Policy: “The song accompanying many videos of the protests last week was from the pre-Partition poet Dwijendralal Ray , a Hindu, celebrating the golden land of Bengal. To see Bangladesh in binary terms—of Muslim or not Muslim—shows a profound misreading of a complex society.
” Dhana Dhanya Pushpa Bhara is a patriotic song by DL Ray that celebrates the natural beauty, cultural richness, and deep emotional connection to the poet's homeland. The song vividly describes the land's abundance, with its fertile fields, gentle rivers, and harmonious nature, portraying it as a utopia. It expresses a profound love and pride for the country, emphasizing the unique bond between the land and its people.
The song resonates deeply in Bengali culture, particularly in Bangladesh, capturing the essence of national pride and the enduring lo.