Language is not only a medium for expression of thoughts, perceptions, sentiments and values of a community, but it also represents a fundamental expression of social identity. As the linguist, Edward Sapir said, “The mere fact of a common speech serves as a peculiar potent symbol of the social solidarity of those who speak the language.”
This March, ICE celebrates the retention of the Bengali language by identifying ten major factors that has helped our mother tongue become an emblem of our cultural identity.
By Abir Hasnain, Sohana Nasrin, Mayeesha A Newaz and Tawhidur Rashid
Photos from Internet
A New Era Dawns
Every language has its own set of alphabets or basic written graphemes used to form words, sentences and express feelings. Derived from Brahmi alphabets and closely related with Devanagari, the current printed form of Bengali alphabets first appeared in 1778 when Charles Wilkins first developed printing in Bengali. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar is the veteran who rationalised and simplified the Bengali alphabets. He introduced students to the cuneiform alphabet with a simple book named Borno porichoi which is popular even today as it was when first published about 131 years ago (in 1855).He also introduced punctuation marks in Bengali literature. Through this book he reconstructed the Bengali alphabets and reformed Bengali typography into an alphabet of twelve vowels and forty consonants. Because of this glittering gem and integral mainstay of Bengali renaissance, Bengali prose had its first flight.
Putting Bengali on the World Map
Rabindranath Tagore is the only writer who has enjoyed unparalleled dexterity over the Bengali language, be it in verse, prose, short stories, novels, lyrics or simply letters. His sensitive, fresh and melodiously beautiful verses are an integral part of the literature of the West. The giant literati of all times, Tagore, was awarded the most prestigious and sought for prize of all – Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913. Consequently, this year has since been engraved in the history of Bengali literature as an emblem of honour. Tagore remains the master in the art of writing with ease and articulating every range of human emotion effortlessly with the simplest yet appropriate words. Thus Tagore’s reputation as a writer was established in the United States and in England after the publication of Gitanjali: Song Offerings, about divine and human love. The poems were translated into English by the author himself. His achievement has been, and always will be, a milestone for Bengali writers in the past, present and future.
“I beg to convey to the Swedish Academy my grateful appreciation of the breadth of understanding which has brought the distant near, and has made a stranger a brother.” As stated in the telegram from Rabindranath Tagore to Mr Clive, British Charge d’Affaires, at the Nobel Banquet at Grand Hotel, Stockhom, December 10,1913
Look Who’s Talking
What we express and the manners we use to express matters because our verbal expression defines who we are. Our tone, intonation and most essentially, the words we choose to convey our thoughts represent our personality. In the era dominated by the epic works of the guru of Bengali literature of all time, Rabindranath Tagore, another visionary carved his own niche in this colossal firmament – Pramatha Chaudhuri.
Popularly known as ‘Birbal,’ an alias under which he published numerous essays, he was the first 20th century Bengali writer who experimented with the colloquial tone in his writings. It is called the ‘Chalit Reeti.’ The then lofty and grandiose ‘Sadhu reeti’ was not very reader friendly. Thanks to Chaudhuri who came up with such an innovative method of expression in writing. The form acted as the pioneer of the modern Bengali prose style. His prose ‘Halkhata’ was first published in the ‘Varoti’ periodical in 1902 following the ‘Chalit Reeti.’ Pramatha Chaudhuri had also edited a monthly periodical ‘Shabuz Patra’ which emphasised writings in this form. An icon that inspired many to follow and has become one ofthe major changes that Bengali literature is indebted for.
A Rebel with a Cause
“I am a poet; I have been sent by God to express the unexpressed, to portray the unportrayed. It is God who is heard through the voice of the poet… My choice is but a medium for truth, the message of God… I am the instrument of that eternal self-evident truth, an instrument that voices forth the message of the ever-true. I am instrument of God. The instrument is not unbreakable but who is there to break God?”
Fighting the dark foces of fascism and oppression, Kazi Nazrul Islam, our rebel Poet not only established Bengali nationalism and attained the prestigious title of Bangladesh’s National Poet but also bestowed our mother tongue with his remarkable poems, music and miscellaneous literary works.
He selflessly raged in battle with his only weapon, his pen and was driven by his undying determination, dedication and endurance. During his career as a prominent literary figure, Nazrul wrote short stories, novels, and essays but gained the most recognition as a poet. He created his own unique style of poetry – Bengali Ghazals.
Nazrul’s musical compositions are collectively known as Nazrul Geeti (Nazrul songs), and continue to delight us even today. His predominant themes include love, freedom, revolution and opposition of all bigotry especially, religious and gender related issues.
Nazrul was at the height of his career after the publication of Bidrohi in 1922, which remains his masterpiece, winning admiration of India’s literary classes by his description of the rebel whose impact is fierce and ruthless even as his/her spirit is deep.
The Bidrohi was published in the Bijli magazine and gratefully welcomed the rebellious themes coinciding with the ‘Non cooperation Movement,’ which was basically the first mass nationalist campaign of civil disobedience against British rule.
It is an interesting fact that not many know that in his early life, Nazrul had received religious education and was a practising Muezzin. He gathered enough sacred knowledge from the Qur’an and the preaching of the Prophet to come to the conclusion that fanaticism in religion is an evil, which is inherently irreligious. Even his works echoed the need for human equality, exploring the Qur’an and the life of Islam’s prophet Muhammad in great depth.
All in al – this rebel will not only remain immortalised in the pages of his evergreen literary works but will also remain etched with Bengali hearts forever.
The Defining Moment
Everyone in this world is fond of his or her mother tongue simply because it is the easiest way to express our thoughts. The love for our native language often transforms itself into a sense of possessiveness in times of need. How can anyone deal with the emotional trauma of not being able to express his/her emotions in their own mother tongue when aggressors are forcing to replace the language with their own? The Bangladeshis were valiant enough to bring back their own language in this land, despite all the bloodshed and deaths. Readers need not wonder what we are about – the Bengali Language Movement, of course. The Indian subcontinent was divided into East Pakistan (present Bangladesh) and West Pakistan (now Pakistan) on August 1947. On 21st March, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the governor general of Pakistan had probably made the worst mistake of his life by declaring, ‘Urdu and only Urdu as the state language of Pakistan.’ All sorts of people in East Pakistan started to revolt and the students, as well as the political activists poured down to the streets in order to defend their right to speak in their mother tongue. The government invoked section 144 on 20th February and it was followed by a province-wide strike called by the students the following day. The students overruled the curfew invoked by section 144 and Salam, Barkat, Rafique, Jabbar and many more died as martyrs. The Language Movement reached its climax when police shot student demonstrators at point blank range, on 21st February 1952. Finally, after years of conflict, the central government relented and declared Bengali as the official language in 1956.
My language, my right
In 1972, with the inception of the constitution, the national assembly of Bangladesh included Bengali as the state language. It says, “…The state language is Bengali…’. It was a giant leap in establishing Bengali in all spheres of our lives. Although English is still the international medium of all social, economical and political communication and transaction, this petite provision in our constitution helps us place Bengali above all.
The Lighthouse
One of the greatest symbols of Bengali nationalism, the Bangla Academy was founded on December 3rd, 1955 at the Bordhwan House, Dhaka. It is one of the most outstanding products of the Language Movement that has literally shaped the cultural backdrop of our nation till date. It has been playing a significant role in the development and modernisation of the Bengali language since its inception. After the events of 21st Feb 1952, the demand for establishing a centre like the Bangla Academy became stronger. Finally established in 1955, it was initially a government organisation and later when the Bangla Academy Act was passed, the academy became an autonomous body financed by the government. The main function the academy serves is to promote and develop the Bengali language. It is also involved in the publication of Bengali language and literature.
The Academy is renowned for organising the Ekushey Boi Mela annually from February 1 to 28 each year. Today the fair has evolved into a cultural phenomenon in modern day Bangladesh. The Academy is also known for giving out the literary award Bangla Academy Award, which is given in recognition of creative geniuses in the field of Bengali literature and language.
The Epic Centre
Ever wondered what’s the most awaited event of February in Bangladesh? Undoubtedly, The Ekushey Book Fair. The fair popularly known as Ekushey Boi Mela is one of the biggest national events. Starting from February 1, this fair attracts many writers and readers. Putting sales aside, the Academy also arranges for cultural events everyday in the month-long event. The beautiful aspect about the event is that it allows readers to spend some time with their favourite writers while some just visit to share their patriotic zeal.
One of the biggest cultural reunions in Bangladesh, the fair is dedicated to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives on February 21, 1952, so that we can speak our mother tongue. If you dig a bit more into the pages of history, you will find out that back in 1972 Chittaranjan Saha of Muktodhara Publications took the first initiative in this regard, as he started selling books in front of the Bangla Academy on February 21, 1972. The Bangla Academy later took over the responsibility to arrange a book fair in 1978, when all other publishing houses began to take part. Afterwards in 1984, it was named the ‘Omor Ekushey Book Fair.’
Coming of Age
Early types of Bangla printing were made on copper plates. Sir Charles Wilkins was the first man who designed Bangla letter types. Nathaniel Brassey Halhead first used Wilkins’ Bangla letter types in the Grammar of the Bengali Language (1778). However, the first Bengali to learn the craft of making Bangla type was Panchanan Karmakar, an assistant of Wilkins. There was Suresh Chandra Majumdar, the first man in Bengal to improve on the original crude letters of Wilkins. He incorporated the changes in Bangla letters in the lino type. In fact, the lino type of Suresh Chandra continues to have its impact even today. Soon after, the printing industry saw more changes and variations in the Bangla letter type.
The printing industry experienced remarkable growth from the 1980s when computer technology replaced traditional printing methods. The first Bengali software developed for Mac was called ‘Shahidlipi.’ Marketed in 1984, this package of a font and a keyboard driver was developed by Saif ud Doha Shahid. After four years, in December 1988, Ananda Computers of Dhaka launched ‘Bijoy,’ a Bengali font and keyboard package for Mac. Mostafa Jabbar and Golam Farukh Ahmed spearheaded the venture. Later a Windows version for it was developed.
Almost a decade after, a new chapter added in the history of Bengali software development. ‘Orcosoft Borno’ was launched in the US in 1998. The software was designed by Tahmid Choudhury, based on the keyboard layout and algorithms of Dr Abdus Shakil. This limited-functionality word processor’s keyboard layout was based on Bangla phonetics.
After Orcosoft there have been many Bengali programmes with a phonetic keyboard layout. The latest and very popular among the rest is ‘Avro Keyboard.’ Published on March 26, 2003 ‘Avro Keyboard’ is a free graphical keyboard layout changer with cross platform compatibility. Armed with a keyboard layout editor, various tools and fonts, the software also boasts a portable edition for smaller devices. The software was started in 2003 by a Dr Mehdi Hasan Khan from Mymensingh Medical College. The initial published version of the software was coded in Visual Basic (programming language) for its Windows version. Later it was developed using other languages to suit the needs of various operating systems. Avro was further developed by M M Rifat Un Nabi, Tanbin Islam Siyam, Ryan Kamal, Shabab Mustafa and Nipon Haque from OmicronLab. And it’s latest stable version Avro Keyboard 5.5.0 was released on February 21, 2014.
In the Limelight
February 21 is a day of pride and honour for Bangladesh. Coined as the International Mother Language Day,by UNESCO, this day is observed globally in recognition of the sacrifices of the martyrs for establishing the rightful place of the Bengali language. The proclamation came in the form of a resolution unanimously adopted at the plenary of UNESCO at its headquarters in Paris on November 17, 1999. It is a great tribute and homage paid by the international community to the language martyrs of Bangladesh. UNESCO in its resolution says, “The recognition was given bearing in mind that all moves to promote the dissemination of mother tongues will not serve only to encourage linguistic diversity and multilingual education, but also helps to develop fuller awareness of linguistic and cultural traditions throughout the world and to inspire solidarity based on understanding tolerance and dialogue.”
The historic February 21, thus, acquired a new dimension. Subsequently, on May 16, 2007, The General Assembly proclaimed 2008 as the international year of language to promote unity and diversity and international understanding throughout multilingualism and multiculturalism.