This Thursday, June 20, was Rabha Divas. It is a day to celebrate a scion of Assam's cultural world, Bishnu Prasad Rabha and marks his death anniversary. Born in Dhaka on January 31 of 1909, he grew up witnessing India’s anti colonial struggle and greatly contributed towards it from his early years. As he became an adult, he began to be influenced by Left ideas of socialism, which influenced his ideas of freedom too. We also know of Rabha’s participation in revolutionary activities against the British as part of the Revolutionary Communist Party of India (RCPI) in the 1940s. He also donated his ancestral land of 2500 bighas received from the British in the form of grants to landless peasants and others. Infact, the present day Tezpur University stands on land donated by him. Thus, for Rabha, freedom was not just freedom from the British but also from the tyranny of capitalism.
Known for his cultural contributions it is very interesting to see that the ideas of a progressive society that promoted equality and socialist principles can be found translated in Rabha’s productions of music and drama. His drama compositions like Krishak and Sapon Kuwali are reflective of these ideas and depict the plight of peasants and class conflicts in Assam. Futhermore, Rabha had a very close connection with the Indian People's Theatre Movement (IPTA) in Assam. He along with Jyotiprasad Agarwalla and Hemanga Biswas pioneered the IPTA in Assam, ushering in a new era of progressive drama and writings. The IPTA during the 1950s attracted the ire of the government which was cracking a hard whip on left leaning organizations and individuals. Amidst such crack downs, Rabha ensured that the IPTA in Assam continued with its performances in order to bring messages of classless society and equality to the peasants. The writings produced by Rabha are further reflective of the socialist principles that he held so dear to his heart.
Apart from Rabha’s contributions of socialist principles in his art and culture, he has produced works that are aesthetically pleasing to the heart and soul. Fondly called Kalaguru his contributions encompass the cultural fields of music, dance and drama of Assam. Infact, the name Kalaguru was conferred on him by erstwhile president Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan after a dance recital of the Tandava dance at Varanasi. It is said that the dance recital of Tandava was so mesmerizing that even Uday Shankar, also wanted to learn the dance moves performed by Rabha. Furthermore, Kalaguru is known to have pioneered the very famous form of music called Rabha Sangeet and is remembered for popular songs like Xurore Deulore and Bilote Halise.There are more than hundred Songs composed by Bishnu Prasad Rabha and together they are called Rabha Sangeet. Today, Rabha Sangeet is a very sought after music genre in the state and many competitions are organized in this genre.
Bishnu Prasad Rabha has also produced several writings that inform us about the rich cultural fabric of Assam. These writings are not restricted to the cultural aspects of the upper sections of Axomiya community only but reveal cultural aspects of to ethnic communities of the state, as well as the lower sections. Several examples can be cited such as Axomiya Kristir Somu Abhas, Mising Koneng, Asamar Atit.
Rabha passed away on June 20, 1969 leaving a great legacy to the state. In his honour, the Government of Assam has also instituted an award along with celebrating Rabha Divas on the 20th of June every year. Moreover, the state government has also set up a memorial in Tezpur called Bishnu Rabha Smriti Udyaan. Later he was even elected to the Lok Sabha, Lower house of the Parliament of India from the Kaliabor Constituency of Assam as a member of the'Indian National Congress'. However, his goals were always centered on Societal freedom from deprivation, poverty, and also corruption. Overall we can say that he was truly a lover of Assam.
(The authors are working as assistant professors at Puthimari College. Al views and opinions expressed are the author’s own.)
