KUSHTIA, Apr 22: On his 120th death anniversary, the contribution of Kangal Harinath was recalled by the devotees and people from all walks of life in the district recently.To celebrate the day in a befitting manner, the district administration, in association with Kangal Harinath Smriti Trust, organised a discussion at Kangal Kutir, the ancestral home of Harinath, in Kumarkhali upazila of the district.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Kushtia Sayed Belal Hasan presided over the programme while Md Abdur Rouf, MP, attended the programme as chief guest and Chairman of Kumarkhali upazila Abdul Mannan was present there as special guest.
Kangal Harinath was a journalist, literary figure, teacher, reformer, composer and exponent of Baul songs. He was born at Kumarkhali upazila of Kushtia district in 1833. His real name is Harinath Majumder, but he is better known as Kangal Harinath. He is also known as Kangal Fikir Chand or Fikir Chand Baul.
Harinath went to a local English medium school but could not continue the study because of poverty. In 1855, he set up a vernacular school at his village with the help of his friends and taught there. A year later, a girls' school was also established in Kumarkhali at his initiative.
Harinath struggled throughout his life for the welfare of the common people and tried to protect them from oppression. He took up journalism to promote the cause of the oppressed farmers. He started writing in the Sangbad Prabhakar, and in 1863 he started publishing a monthly journal, 'Grambarta Prakashika'. It used to publish news on the oppression of farmers by native Zamindars, and earned fame because of its bold journalism. It also used to carry articles on literature, philosophy and science.
A follower of Lalon Shah, Harinath started a Baul group in 1880 and named it 'Kangal Fikir Chander Dal'. He is particularly remembered for a large number of Baul songs that he composed. His lyrics are very simple but his thoughts are philosophical. In his songs, Harinath introduced himself as Kangal (Fakir or beggar) and the word became part of his name. One of his famous songs is: 'Hari din to gelo sandhya halo, par karo amare' (O Lord, the day has gone; evening has come, help me cross safely). Between 1883 and 1893, he published his Baul songs in 16 volumes titled 'Kangal Fikir Chand Fakirer Gitavali'.
Harinath wrote 18 books. Among them, Bijoybasanta (1859), Charucharitra (1863), Kabitakaumudi (1866), Bijoya (1869), Akrur Sangbad (1873), Sabitri Natika (1874), Chittachapala (1876), and Kangaler Brahmandaved (1887-95) are notable.
Harinath died on April 16, 1896. His complete writings were published posthumously in 1901 as 'Harinath Granthabali'. With the help of Kushtia Zila Parishad, the local administration initiated a memorial complex at 'Kangal Kutir'.
While visiting the house of Kangal Harinath on Friday, this correspondent found it in a dilapidated condition; walls are feeble and there is no roof above; bricks are coming off the walls; chunks of cow dung, to be dried and later used as solid fuel, are seen plastered on the walls.
In a tin-shed house nearby, lives Ashok Majumder's family, the fourth offspring of Kangal Harinath. There is an air of poverty all around. The room in front is faintly lit. There is hardly any furniture inside. The floor is damp. There are holes on the tin roof. Attached to the room is a tiny cabin. Above the door of the cabin hangs a signboard: "Kangal Harinath Pathagar". In another room, dark and dirty, there are a large picture and the last remains of Kangal Harinath.
Ashok Majumder's son Diponkor Mojumder shows a keen interest in the study of Kangal Harinath. He has a good collection of Harinath's hand-written manuscripts, old copies of the 'Grambarta Prakashika' and some rare specimens of writings in his possession.
He keeps these all on the table. He repeats the need for building a museum and a library to preserve the bits and pieces of Harinath's memory. Ashok Majumder forcefully claims that Kangal Harinath's "Vijoy Bashanta" is the first Bengali novel. In favour of this claim he also provides evidence. He has also carefully produced a record of Harinath's life.
Kangal Harinath Girls' School, established by Harinath himself, not far from his house, is now well established. In the visitor's book, many eminent persons have recorded their imitation. Everyone is of the view that the last relics of Kangal Harinath must be preserved without farther delay.
After opening the shabby door of the Kangal Kutir, it is found that the old MN Press (named after Mothura Nath, the donor of the press) remains abandoned, uncovered to rust in rain and the sun. Some boxes containing type cases, dirty with dust, lie dismantled. Outside Kangal Kuthir, there lies a foundation stone with "Kangal Harinath Smriti Zadughar" inscribed on it.
In 1994, on Harinath's 160 birth anniversary, two honourable secretaries of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce visited the place and laid the foundation stone.
Diponkor Majumder said no development work was carried out because of a high court injunction over the dispute of ownership between him and Ramakanta Majumder, who claims to be an heir to Kangal Harinath. When asked if he would like the press to be shifted to a museum, Diponkor Majumder asserts, "The museum must be built here. I can't let it go to any other place."
The last days of Harinath's life were tragic. He separated all ties with the society. He became mentally upset as well as physically and economically broken. Throughout his life, Harinath Majumder worked for the betterment of the mass. He became the enemy of the landlords and rich class, but when he became ill, the working class and the farmers didn't come forward to help him. When his Grambarta Prokashika was closed, no one reacted.
Harinath didn't get any recognition from the society. All these forced him to withdraw himself from the social life. Harinath's health deteriorated with time and he died. After his death the-then renowned newspaper 'Indian Mirror' commented, "The district Nuddea has lost one of its great men."