Manmatha Royer ‘Joy Bangla’: ‘Mujib’ Namer Joygan/ মন্মথ রায়ের ‘জয় বাংলা’ : ‘মুজিব’ নামের জয়গান

Abstract

The most significant period in the Indian subcontinent's history following 1947 was 1971. It was the year that Bangladesh, India's neighbor, won its freedom from Pakistani domination in the Liberation War. Five hundred thousand Bangladeshi women were raped and three million civilians were killed by Pakistani forces in 1971. Ten million Bangladeshis sought safety in India during the conflict, mostly in West Bengal and other states in the northeast that border Bangladesh. Consequently, West Bengal's political and socioeconomic structure was totally upended. Although Bangladesh has generated a great deal of literature on this eventful year, writers, playwrights of West Bengal have produced relatively little. A noteworthy exception to this quiet is Manmath Roy's play ‘Joy Bangla’.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the main figure in 1971, leading students, young people, and common people in the fight for independence. People nationwide pushed themselves fully into the liberation struggle in response to his call. The nation's greatest emblem of optimism was his momentous address delivered on March 7, 1971, at the Racecourse Ground in Ramna, Dhaka. In that speech, Mujib declared: "This time the struggle is for our emancipation," thus announcing Bangladesh's independence. This time the struggle is for our independence.” He urged people to make every home a fortress and called for a civil disobedience action throughout the province. The dream of liberation captivated the country. Students, young people, and women came out of every home and vowed to fight for independence.

The drama also expresses this truth. Mujib was detained in a Pakistani jail by the Pakistani authorities from the start of the conflict. However, his great remarks sparked the establishment of innumerable Mujibs in every East Pakistani home. They spread the spirit and ideals of Mujib to a wider audience. "Brave Bengalis, take up arms and liberate Bangladesh!" became their catchphrase. In the end, the play's protagonist also gives up himself. The drama shows how Mujib's principles moved and motivated the country's people. Thousands and thousands of these Mujibs appeared all over Bangladesh during the Liberation War; these were people who understood the actual Mujib dream and made it a reality.