Dhananjoy's wondrous works

Dhananjoy Roy, an avid bamboo craftsman, along with his artistic handiwork on historic national events in front of his house at Khalisha Pacha village in Palashbari union under Nilphamari Sadar upazila. Photo: STAR

In remembrance of our independence, many people this month would prefer to visit Dhananjoy's thatched hut at a remote village to see presentations of Liberation War and other historic events in artistic bamboo work.
Visitors would see with wonder bamboo made replicas of the National Mausoleum, Shaheed Minar, portrayal of Bangabandhu delivering his historic March 7 speech in 1971 and others at the house of Dhananjoy Roy, in Khalisha Pacha village of Palashbari union under Nilphamari Sadar upazila.
Other instances of bamboo work there include portrayal of panicked people going on foot, bullock carts or boats to take refuse in India, groups of freedom fighters, Pakistani army and the historic scene of Pakistan army commander General Niazi's signing surrender agreement in presence of Indian army officers and Mukti Bahini on December 16 in 1971.
Surprisingly though, the creator of the wonderful handiwork, Dhananjoy Roy, popularly known as Dako Sadhu, toils as a day labourer for livelihood at the age of 73.
On Saturday, this correspondent visited the avid bamboo craftsman's house at Khalisha Pacha village and talked to him.
"I have not seen real structures of the National Mausoleum and Shaheed Minar. But I saw their pictures in newspaper and television. From their deep impression in mind, I faced no problem to re-create them with bamboo," Dhananjoy said.
“Rich people ask me for artistic bamboo work at their houses for interior decoration but I am paid just as a day labourer. However, people now honour me for my work of love for the Liberation War," he added.
Due to old age complexities, Dhananjoy can neither move easily nor see things clearly. Still a bamboo piece in hand awakens a creative mind in him. With special kind of small knives, he makes fine sticks from bamboo and curves and sets them to make something special, often images of men, women, birds, beasts, boats, carts etc.
Second of his three sons, Prodip who sells muri (fried rice) as a vendor in the village, is the only family member to look after him at the ripe old age.
"Such unique creations are possible by poor Dhananjoy as he has deep love for the nation and the Liberation War. Through his efforts, young generation can get a real impression of our immense struggle and sacrifice for achieving independence," Fazlul Haque, former district unit commander of Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad, said after visiting the unique works on Liberation War.
Visitors, especially young people and children, look at the creations with wonder. Sometimes, they ask different questions to Dhananjoy who happily answers to the best of his knowledge.
"Dhananjoy Roy's creations enlighten us but this light cannot remove darkness of poverty from his thatched hut. All concerned should come forward to help him continue his significant efforts for the nation," said Momtaj Ali, chairman of concerned Palashbari union parishad.
Sadar upazila parishad Vice Chairman Shahid Mahmud urged steps for preservation of Dhananjoy's 'unique' creations on Liberation War for the future generation.