“Hason Raja” was a dream project of mine. play right Mustak Ahmed and directed by renowned Bengali actress Ishrat Nishat. it happened to be first Bengali theater production in Queens theater, New York. About 25 performers played a different role in this production. The first show was January 15th 2017. Proud to be mention that 476 seats in this theater was sold out week before show. I was played a leading role as “Hason Raja”.
Hason Raja A Tribute.
Dr. Zia Uddin Ahmed
Hason Raja the mystic philosopher, a village poet., folk-song writer and composer died about 94 year ago in a remote area in Sylhet but he is still very alive in the heart of music lovers. The lyricist Hason Raja is a household name in Bangladesh.
At the early age of fifteen Hason Raja succeeded his father to run the Zamindari estate. He had very little formal education. But he proved to be a very successful Zamindar, not only in administering the estate but also setting up a number of schools, religious centers like mosques, and temples and donated vast properties for the well-being of the people. He was also devoted in the protection of birds and animals. In the early phase he indulged himself in sensuality, luxury, and whim. But at the mature age Hason Raja started to shun his worldly pleasures and went into a soul-searching phase.
He started to question and search for answers to deeply rooted spiritualism. Under the influence of a sufi, he began composing mystic songs. These songs are the outcome of his creative genius manifesting the reflection of his philosophical and spiritual thoughts that opened a whole new dimension. He used local dialect and folk tune in his songs with a unique style. Hason Raja became an ‘ascetic poet. His mystic songs earned him immense social reputation during his lifetime and beyond.
He gained international recognition few years after his death, when Nobel laureate, Rabindronath Tagore mentioned him in his lectures at Oxford University. Tagore, frequently cited Hason Raja when he explained philosophy, religion and folk culture.
An anthology of the songs of Hasan Raja titled Hason Udas was published in 1914 with 206 songs. The main theme of the songs is the concept of God, and the spiritual relation between the creator and the created beings. His concept of body-based metaphysics on the knowledge about
God and the soul is the result of a synthesis of the concept of Sufism, traditional bhababad and mysticism of his own experience. All the emotion, attraction, worries and anxieties of Hason Raja are expressed centering round this ‘Eternal person’. He denoted this eternal person as Allah, Hari, Krishna , God and expressed his divine love and devotion, affection and pleasure. At one stage, he did not perceive any difference between his ‘own self (soul) and ‘God Almighty. He songs aspire to blend with the divine creator.
Hason Raja : A new Form
lshrat Nishat
Director
Hason Raja is a character of duality, full of contrast. AA relentless man is in quest from a backdrop of a life full of treasure and color. Was Hason aware what this relentlessness was about? Like Hason we are equally restless and keen to find what truth Hason was after. Which path did he follow in his quest for the most meaningful? After reading Mustak Ahmed’s writing we feel we are almost close to our inner quest through the narration he had presented. Thanks to Mustak. We are not after the glorious life of Hason Raja nor do we want to tell the story of his devotion but we are after the journey Hason Raja made for a divine truth and the moment of awakening as it correlates with the understanding we would like to teach.
We have been cruelly unjust to our mother nature. Hason’s mother here relates to us as the Mother Nature. Despite having the desertion and torments, a mother’s affection never falls short. For the very good of her children the loving mother on occasions transforms as storm, cyclone, flood or an earthquake. It is a kind of a call for awakening. We bow to the nature and seek the inner wisdom. Our journey is defined by our love and dependency for each other. We began in a new form with a new knowledge.
Within our Bengali folklore tradition, the real essence of a story transcends through its style , nor the character itself. We have tried to use that storytelling practice as narrative acting. At present, we have seen the importance of storytelling medeum is highly practiced in western world too. I tried to incorporate this two practice in a combined presentation in acting. Where performers narrates the character and situation without being emotionally involved within the character. This particular form, I believe, do not demand finest acting but puts your concentration on the story itself, with the message for the mass.
Having realized and inspired with this theme and style, Sitesh Dhar invited me to do this production
in New York, USA. There after, Lovelu, Ejaz and other performers started taking interest in “A different thought on Hason Raja ” . A fantastic team of Actors, Musicians, Singers and Choreographers of BIPA was always there , whenever they were required for rehearsal. Its such a wonderful home feeling they have given me for uninterrupted creative job ! Such co operation always inspires me, Thanks .
Theater work is such that it can connect people across language, segregation and the sublime gap between one to another. Our gratuity to all members and their family and loved ones as their sacrifices meant the creation of this production.
But how can I not mention a few fantastic human in this space ! All time supportive, protective elder brother Taju bhai, A strong, sincere, creative choreographer Anni Ferdous, Respect for you two unlimited creators.
That don’t limit me to acknowledge the immense support to my work in NY by Bishwajit Chowdhury, Rony Syed Zakir
support to my work in NY by Bishwajit Chowdhury, Rony Syed Zakir Ahmed, Shibli, Bokhari, Chanchal, Mintu, Nehar Siddki and Mahtab Sohel. They relentlessly inspired and was there in need.
Last but not the least, thanks to the audiences, your encouragement and support will show us the way, we are delighted and thankful to have the opportunity to be connected with you. My deepest gratitude to my group Desh Natak for giving me constant inspiration to create. Thanks to Amirul Islam Chowdhury of kothakolo sylhet who was always a great help for this production.
