Bridge-building (Shetu-bondhon):
The case of Rabindranath and Nazrul

Dr. Mohammad Omar Farooq


        In the context of Bangladesh, infested with all sort of division, intolerance, and conflicts, there is a new need for awareness about and endeavors to highlight bridge-building - that is the work of, in Bangla, what we may call shetu-bondhon. We need to find and emphasize:

 not differences  but  common grounds
 not conflict  but  even simple excuse for cooperation
  not discord  but  harmony
not bias, prejudice, or partisanship  but  mutual respect
not negative  but  positive attitude
 not despair and compromise  but  hope and determination
not dogmatism or fanaticism  but  open-mindedness and devotion
not indifference  but  care and empathy
not violence  but  reason and rule of law
not coercion  but  freedom of choice


The key is whether people want to, with a purpose or without, sow the seed of:

 hatred or  harmony
prejudice or fairness
divisiveness   or unity
partisanship or inclusiveness
ugliness or beauty
insensitivity or care
conflict  or cooperation


People from most diverse and distinctive backgrounds can contribute toward such bridge-building. The examples are all around us from all over the world. Here is an example of contributions of two persons in the context of Bangladesh that were conducive to such bridge-buidling: Kazi Nazrul Islam and Rabindranath Tagore. 


Whether everyone likes it or not, it is a fact that the national anthem of Bangladesh is written by Rabindranath and he is the towering figure of Bangla language. Also, whether everyone likes it or not, Kazi Nazrul Islam is the national poet of Bangladesh, probably as a better representative of the heritage, culture, and faith of Bangladesh. They had things that were common. Both were born in Bengal and grew up with and served Bangla language and literature. Both were active in their creative work during albeit the same period. Both had love and reverence for everything that represents "beauty" and hatred and condemnation for everything that represents "ugliness". 

Despite these common aspects, they were so different and, through their difference they build bridges between themselves and through their works sowed the seed of harmony and bond. To Rabi, Nazrul was "Dhumketu" and he offered Nazrul, among many of his literary devotees, good deal of affection. Nazrul, according to his own words, used to revere Rabi, without getting detracted from his own perceived mission and vision or compromising what he stood for. In the context of Bangladesh, those who ignore, let alone disrespect, Rabindranath because of his Indian or Hindu background, while love or revere Nazrul ought to know how Nazrul had a bad habit against Rabindra-haters. (Don't know about it? Read this document.) Such fragmented attitude would never build or contribute toward harmony, mutual respect, and cooperation - WITHOUT SACRIFICING ANYONE'S IDEOLOGY/RELIGION/HERITAGE.  And, those who ignore Nazrul because of, among other things, his Islamic orientation, and would be content with Rabindranath alone, I am afraid, such people won't have been patronized by Rabindranath himself and won't be able to make any contribution to bridge-building in the context of Bangladesh.

Here are some of the ways, Rabi and Nazrul broadly represent, in varying degree, bridge-building to me, in the context of our society. 

 

Rabindranath Tagore  Shetu-bondhon between   Kazi Nazrul Islam
Someone akin to W. Bengal (India) and Someone akin to Bangladesh
Bramho and Muslim
Old and Young
 Restrained and Rebellious
Not-so-poor and Poor
 Bearded and Unbearded
Institutionally better-educated and Little educated
Rabi and Shoni*
Rabi and Dhumketu**

How many more ways you can think of? ... We need to rediscover the legacy of such bridge-building and begin to practice a little. What examples you can think of and write about either in the context of Bangladesh or elsewhere. After all, regardless of from where the examples are drawn, these are "human" concerns!

Let's shake hand, make some more people         , and build some bridges.

*According to some Encyclopedia, he went to study law in England.  [http://kids.infoplease.com/ce5/CE050598.html]

**Nazrul contrasted Rabi with the needed new generation of "Shoni" [Nazrul Rochonaboli, Vol. 1, p. 557]

***Rabindranath dedicated a poem to Nazrul titled "Dhumketu"

 

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