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 love for the motherland. Who was DL Ray? DL Ray was a renowned Bengali poet, playwright, and musician, widely celebrated for his contributions to Bengali literature and music. Much like Rabindranath Tagore’s songs are called Rabindrasangeet, DL Ray’s songs were christened Dwijendrageeti.
Born on July 19, 1863, in Krishnanagar, Bengal Presidency (now in West Bengal, India), Ray was the son of a well-educated family. His father, Kartikeychandra Ray, was a Deputy Magistrate, and his mother, Prasannamayee Devi, was also known for her literary interests. Dhana Dhanya Pushpa Bhara by Lopamudra Mitra Ray showed an early aptitude for literature and music.
He pursued his education in Kolkata and later went to England, where he earned a degree in agriculture from the University of Edinburgh. Upon returning to India, he took up a government job, but his passion for literature and music remained undiminished. Banga Amar Janani Amar | Subhas Chandra | Bengali Movie Song | Tarun Bandyopadhyay Ray was very moved by the Swadeshi movement when Lord Curzon decided to partition Bengal in 1905.
He actively participated in the protest rallies, his powerful voice resonating with the chant of Vande Mataram. During this period, he wrote historical plays like Rana Pratap Singh (1905), Durgadas (1906), and Mewar Patan (1908), which were infused with patriotic fervor and resonated deeply with Swadeshi activists. However, in Mewar Patan, Roy's expression of patriotism was not characterized by outright hostility towards foreign influences.
By the time he wrote this play, Roy had grown weary of the militant nationalism of some Swadeshi activists. As his son, Dilip Kumar Roy, noted, "It was at this turning point in his life that he wrote The Fall of Mewar. And it was only then that we, his devoted admirers, realized that patriotism could be a misleading guide.
" Dwijendralal Ray passed away on May 17, 1913, but his legacy lives on. He is best known for his patriotic songs, which earned him the title of Deshbandhu (Friend of the Nation). His compositions often reflected the socio-political context of his time, and he used his literary skills to inspire a sense of national pride and unity among Bengalis.
Ray’s plays, such as Sita and Rana Pratap Singh , are also highly regarded for their historical themes and poetic style. In addition to his patriotic songs, Ray composed many devotional and romantic songs, collectively known as Dwijendrageeti. These songs are still sung today and are cherished for their lyrical beauty and melodic richness.
Ray's contribution to Bengali music and literature is also celebrated in Bangladesh, where his songs are part of the cultural fabric, performed at various national and cultural events. His works are taught in schools, and his songs are often included in the repertoire of classical and contemporary musicians alike..
