Death anniversary of Hemanga Biswas observed in Sylhet

The 21st death anniversary of Hemanga Biswas, a pioneering 'gano sangeet' artiste, was observed at his ancestral home in Chunarughat upazila, Habiganj.
On the occasion, Hemanga Biswas Film society and Jugantor Swajon Samabesh jointly organised a discussion at the Sahitya Niketan (Mansur Bhaban) on November 22. Advisor of the Samabesh, Bidyut Paul, chaired the discussion. Swajon Samabesh President, Shankha Dev; Secretary, Aminur Rashid Sujon; Nasiruddin; Mizan Lashkar and Abul Kalam Azad, among others spoke at the programme.
The speakers recalled Hemanga Biswas' immense contribution to the 'gano sangeet' genre urged the authorities to honour him with naming a major street after him at the upazila headquarters.
Born into a 'zaminder' family, Biswas was a follower of the folk tradition in 'gano sangeet.' Son of Harakumar Biswas and Sarojini Biswas, Hemanga Biswas studied at Habiganj Government High School. He studied at the MC College in Sylhet in 1930-'31.
Biswas embraced the values of communism during his college life and wrote poems and plays on equal rights. At this stage he started performing 'gano sangeet.' Institutional education system failed to contain him and Biswas became involved in a movement to ensure the rights of tea garden labourers, farmers and the underprivileged throughout the region. For his political convictions, he was arrested in 1930.
In the '40s, Biswas' songs motivated the masses, stirring the flame of nationalism. He formed a forum for 'gano sangeet' artistes in 1971 and directed a number of plays and songs. He formed IPTA and Cultural squad in 1983.
Biswas wrote many songs using the pseudonym 'Sanchay Sen.' Among his published works are "Sankhocheel-er Gaan," "Hemanga Biswas-er Gaan," "Loko Sangeet-er Shamiksha," "Bangla O Assam" and "Abar Chin Dekhey Elam" in Bangla, and "Fulo Kuror Chatal" and "Okouchin Ahilo" in Assamese.
Some of the songs popularised by Hemanga Biswas are "Habiganj-er Jalali koitor," "Shabdhaney gurujir naam loiyyo," "Shono desher bhai bhogini," "Nongor chharia deorey dukhi naiyya," Amra bir kishore dol," "Amra tho bhuli nai shaheed," "Udoypurer jatri," "Languliar bakey" and more. Biswas died on November22, 1987 in Calcutta.