Bangladesh has been turbulent again since last night. Following the death of Inqilab Mancha convener Osman Hadi, the fire of violence has spread like wildfire across different parts of Bangladesh. In that fire, one of the country's major cultural centres, Chhayanaut, has been reduced to ashes. Throughout the night, the Chhayanaut building was looted. It was set on fire. Tablas and harmoniums were smashed to the ground. Rabindra Sangeet artists Shrabani Sen, Jayati Chakraborty, and Soumyajit Das are deeply saddened by this incident.
Chhayanaut, the cultural organisation of Bangladesh, is the unforgettable achievement of renowned Rabindra Sangeet artist Sanjida Khatun and her comrades. This institution is emotionally connected with music artists from both Bengals. The flames of fire have burned that emotion to ashes. Watching Chhayanaut burn on the television screen, tears are welling up in Shrabani Sen's throat. She has expressed strong condemnation of this incident.
Shrabani says, "Chhayanaut of Bangladesh is known worldwide. We have received many talented artists from this institution. We also learn from this institution. I cannot even imagine it. Sanjida Khatun's photograph has also been torn apart. This is unacceptable. My heart has been very heavy since last night. I don't know when everything will be alright again."
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Music artist Jayati Chakraborty has visited Chhayanaut's programs several times. Many associated with the institution are very close to her. She never imagined she would have to witness such dark days. Jayati's voice keeps choking up as she tries to speak. The singer says, "The anger, rage, sorrow, and despair working in my mind are truly impossible to express in words. It's an extremely condemnable incident. The way Sanjida Khatun's and Lalon Sai's photographs, tablas and harmoniums are lying on the ground – it's unbearable to see."
Chhayanaut is a tradition-bearing institution in the field of music in Bangladesh. The singer has given another explanation for such an attack on this art organisation. In her words, "Art is not a daily necessity like food, clothing, or institutions. Art is not needed to survive physically. But art, literature, and culture are food for the soul. In a country where minds are so destructive, so devastating, where is the need for art? That's why the attack comes first on art."
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Sourendra-Soumyajit have gone to perform in Dhaka and several other places in Bangladesh. However, they have never been to Chhayanaut. Soumyajit had the desire to perform at Chhayanaut someday in the future. His heart is heavy seeing that institution of love, dreams, and emotions burn. Since morning, his mind hasn't been able to focus on anything.
He says, "I have no words to say anything. What agony an artist can feel seeing harmoniums and tablas burn – that's what's happening. But we cannot lose hope. I believe everything will be alright one day. The melody of songs will float from Chhayanaut again. Bols will rise on tablas, and musical scales will be created on harmoniums."
