Session#3 : Lecture#3

Topic 5: Liberation War in 1971

Department of Sociology
East West University
Date: 13 December 2020, Sunday
 Topic 5 (4):
Role of Cultural Frontier and
Mass Media
 Background
The liberation war of Bangladesh in 1971 is a unique
feature in the lives of the Bangalees.
Many factors have worked behind this uniqueness.
One factor is the role of cultural frontier and mass media.
During the war, the cultural frontier of the then East
Pakistan became the main weaponry to fight against the
West Pakistani militia activities.
The first cultural as well as media initiative was the –
Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra (Also known as Swadhin
Bangla Biplobi Betar Kendra).
It was a ‘broadcasting station’ during the liberation war
that played a crucial role in increasing the mental strength
of the whole Bengali nation.
 Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra

Radio Transmission Centre, Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, Chittagong

 Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra
The radio station was actually evolved from the Kalurghat
transmission centre in Chittagong
The transmitter in Kalurghat was damaged by Pakistani
bomb shelling, & was brought to another new station.
It was made operative by engineer Syed Abdus Shaker
The radio station had broadcast the Declaration of
Independence, patriotic wartime songs & propaganda
campaigns, and raised the morale of the population
The key person in organizing the centre in early stage was
Belal Muhammad, a scriptwriter & artiste of Radio Pakistan
Several other liberation activists also joined later at high
risk despite being under control of the Pakistan Military
Prominent figures like Kamal Lohani & Mustafa Monwar
were two among them.
 Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra
Renowned organizers

Belal Muhammad

Kamal Lohani

Mustafa Monwar
 Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra
Daily programme - 1st phase consisted of a morning
transmission at 8.30 to 9 & an afternoon session at 5 to 7
Most unique programme was “Chorompatra”, in which
M.R. Akhter Mukul (a Bengali Journalist) had presented
his ideas mixed with hard comedies about the Pakistani
Army. It was broadcast every day that highly inspired the
‘Muktibahini’ and the people during the war.
Another popular program “Jallader Darbar” was run by
Kalyan Mitra where approaches of Yahya Khan (known as
‘Kella Fateh Khan’) were described in a funny manner.
Another programme was “Bojro Kontho” where
speeches of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman were presented
Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra

M.R. Akhter Mukul

 Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra
Also, a group of young singers used to sing inspiring
songs from there.
Many poems & songs were written for this broadcasting.
One of those songs Joy Bangla Banglar Joy (Victory of
Bengal) was the signature tune of the radio.
Lyricist: Gazi Majharul Anwar, composer: Anwar Parvez.
Many songs of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra became
immensely popular. Some of the songs are:
Purbo Digante Surjo Uthechhe
Ekti Phoolke Bachabo Bole
Ek Sagor Roketer Binimoye of Gobinda Haldar
Singers of the station raised funds singing their songs in
different parts of West Bengal.
 Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra

Gobinda Haldar

Gazi Majharul Anwar

Anwar Parvez
Bangladesh Mukti Sangrami Shilpi Sangstha
A travelling troupe of singers and musicians,
played a significant role in boosting the freedom
fighters’ spirit at the camps during the war in 1971.
*[Special mention: ‘Muktir Gaan’ by Tareque Masud]
In addition to this, the troupe also performed at
several fund-raising concerts in Kolkata to support
the over 10 million refugees, who took shelter in India.
This musical troupe was formed in May 1971 in
Kolkata by Bangladeshi artists under leadership of late
cultural personality Wahidul Haque and with
substantial support from some Kolkata-based Indian
musicians.
Bangladesh Mukti Sangrami Shilpi Sangstha
The troupe included –
Sanjida Khatun (president)
Mahmudur Rahman Benu (secretary)
Bipul Bhattacharya
Debobroto Chowdhury
Dulal Chandrashil
Shaheen Samad
Nyla Khan
Lubna Mariam
Tariq Ali
Swapan Chowdhury
Sharmin Murshid
Bangladesh Mukti Sangrami Shilpi Sangstha
 ‘Muktir Gaan’ by Tareque Masud
Bangladesh Mukti Sangrami Shilpi Sangstha

Tariq Ali
 The Role of Mass Media
Although the technology of media was changing rapidly
through the 1950’s & 1960s, the 1971 conflict ushered in a full
spectrum use of media technology
 The Role of Print Media
During the War, many internationally recognized newspapers
published articles, comments & editorials on the wartime events.
 The London Times, The Sunday times, The Guardian, The
Sunday Observer, The Daily Mirror, and The Daily Telegraph
 The Role of Mass Media reporting
Due to limited reach of print media, it was radio that played a
vital role during wartime. All India Radio, and Voice of America
(VOA) covered the war almost every day.
Regarding Television, the British Broadcasting Corporation
(BBC) and Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) were two
influential TV channels during wartime.
 The Role of International Journalists
Journalists have always played a pivotal role in shaping
the outcomes of major conflicts and war as well. It is also
true for the Bangladesh war of 1971.
Simon Dring:
He was an award-winning British Journalist and the
correspondent of The ‘Daily Telegraph’ in 1971.
On 25 March, having received a letter from Pakistan
army to leave Dhaka immediately, he evaded capture by
hiding on the roof of the Hotel Intercontinental.
He was able to witness the slaughters of ‘Operation
searchlight’ and published his report on 30 March.
Thus, he became the first person who flashed out to the
world of what had happened on 25 March Night at Dhaka
and in Bangladesh (the then East Pakistan) as well.
 The Role of International Journalists
Anthony Mascarenhas:
He was the assistant editor of West Pakistani newspaper
- ‘Morning News’.
The Pakistani army invited Pakistani reporters to the region
where they had battled local troops, in order to publicize
their victories. Out of eight journalists, only one refused to
comply with direct orders. It was Anthony Mascarenhas.
He wrote on 13 June 1971 in Sunday Times, titled:
‘Genocide’. It exposed the brutality of Pakistan's suppression
of the Bangladeshi uprising. It forced the reporter's family
into hiding & changed history. It helped turn world opinion
against Pakistan & encouraged India to play a decisive role.
It garnered widespread criticism against Mascarenhas
from Pakistan who saw it as a betrayal.
 The Role of International Journalists
Sidney Schanberg:
He was a journalist of the ‘New York Times’.
Two days later after 25 March, as Dhaka was burning,
the reporters were expelled from the country. Their notes
and tapes were confiscated. He was also among them. He
had returned to Dhaka in June 1971 to report on the
massacres in towns & villages, but was again expelled by
the Pakistan military at the end of June.
Journalists from India (West Bengal and Tripura):
These journalists were very much dedicated & published
a number of sensitive reports. Among them Amullo
Ganguly & Monoj Mitra (The Statesman), Suvash
Chakrabarty (Times of India), Sannat Mukharjee
(Akashbani) were very important figures.
 The Role of International Journalists

Anthony Mascarenhas

Simon Dring
 The Role of International Artists
During the war, many international artists made
tremendous efforts to make the world conscious about the
war and make recognition about a new country.
Joan Baez: In 1971 Baez was just 30. Having heard the
news of the cruel massacre by Pakistan Military on 25th
March, she felt agitated & anguished for the unfortunate
death of numerous people in Bangladesh. She took her
guitar and started to compose a song, named – “The Song
of Bangladesh”. She performed this song in some concerts
& raised fund to help Bengali people.
▲Bangladesh, Bangladesh
Bangladesh, Bangladesh
When the sun sinks in the west
Die a million people of the Bangladesh
 The Role of International Artists
George Harrison: He was an English musician, singer-
songwriter, music & film producer who achieved international
fame as the lead guitarist of the Beatles. Harrison was involved
in humanitarian & political activism throughout his life.
Ravi Shankar: He was a Bengali Indian musician & a
composer of Hindustani Classical Music. He was the best-
known proponent of sitar in second half of 20th century. He
was awarded with the ‘Bharat Ratna’ in 1999.
♫The ‘Concert for Bangladesh’: This concert was held at
2:30-8:00 pm on 1 August 1971 at Madison Square Garden in
New York City with two shows. The concert was the first-ever
benefit concert of such a magnitude and featured a supergroup
of performers. It won the award of ‘Album of the Year’-1973 &
became the blue print for future mega-events to aid the people.
 The Role of International Artists
Allen Ginsberg: He was an American poet, philosopher
& writer. He is considered to be one of the leading
figures during the 1950s.
Ginsberg took part in decades of non-violent political
protest. He has been to Bangladesh to observe the
atrocities done by Pakistan Army in 1971. After visiting
refugee camps & witnessing the plight of millions fleeing
the violence, he wrote his legendary 152-line
poem, “September on Jessore Road” & called world
attention to the suffering of victims.
▲Millions of babies watching the skies
Bellies swollen, with big round eyes
On Jessore Road-long bamboo huts
No place to shit but sand channel ruts
The Role of International Artists
 The Role of Visual Artists
Along with the artists who made music, there were also the
artists who used to paint pictures depicting the struggle, &
the massacres during wartime. This way, the painters of that
time took part in the war with their brushes.
Renowned painters namely Zainul Abedin, Quamrul
Hassan, Nitun Kundu, Debdas Chakraborty, Nasir Biswas,
Pranesh Mandal & Biren Shome used their brushes to protest
against the oppression of Pakistanis.
On 25 March 1971 Pakistani army raided Dhaka Art
College as part of the ‘operation searchlight’.
In protest, on 26 March 1971, a procession was organized
with pro-liberation placards & posters under the leadership of
Zainul Abedin & Begum Sufia Kamal with the banner of
“Bangla Charu O Karu Shilpi Songram Porishod”.
 The Role of Visual Artists
Bangla Charu O Karu Shilpi Songram Porishod
 The Role of Visual Artists
Renowned pieces of art works & art activities:
 Zainul Abedin: ‘Soronarthi’,‘Muktijuddho’, & ‘1971’
 Quamrul Hassan: Caricature of Yahya Khan with the tagline -
‘this animal should be killed’ and ‘Annihilate These Demons’.
 Teamwork: A team of artists did art works by sketching
monogram of independent Bangladesh, stamps, posters, banners,
cartoons & leaflets, & visited different camps of the freedom
fighters to encourage them.
 Art exhibition in Kolkata: A group of artists living in Kolkata
during wartime arranged an exhibition titled ‘Paintings &
Drawings of Bangladeshi Artist’ at ‘Birla Academy’, Kolkata in
September 1971.
 Painter freedom fighters: Renowned artists Shahabuddin
Ahmed, Abul Barak Alvi, & Swapan Chowdhury participated in
the war directly with arms. Later, they developed a series of
paintings based on their experiences.
The Role of Visual Artists

Painting by Zainul Abedin

Painting by Shahabuddin Ahmed

The Role of Visual Artists
The Role of Visual Artists
 Thank You
MANZUMA AHSAN
Lecturer, Department of Sociology
East West University
Email: manzuma.ahsan@gmail.com