15 Aug
History of our Independence in short
India was the land of bountiful of natural resources, the land of rivers and the land of farmers. The land that was so prosperous and wealthy that the country has seen a lot of invasions throughout the ages. Like The Aryans in 1500s BCE, but seeing our superior culture they decided to stay with the Dravidian. Then the Persians by Cyrus invaded around 550 BCE. Then in 327 BCE, the Greeks did Alexander the Great. Then fast forward to 1001 AD, Mahmud Ghazni invaded India. 1221 AD, India was invaded by Genghis Khan. 1526 AD, Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi and founded the Mughal dynasty. And around 1600 AD the British came to India by the name of East India Company. In 1757 AD, Battle of Plassey, establishment of British political rule in India by the hands of Lord Clive finally took place.
This marked the beginning of the British rule in India that lasted for 200 years.
But, in the year 1857 we find records of earliest protest against the British rule in India. It was in Bengal, Barackpore, near Kolkata. This was the Sepoy Mutiny which was an unsuccessful movement, but triggered a chain of events that ultimately led to the united identity of a nation for the first time in India.
The first organized movement against British government was the Non-cooperation Movement, 1st August 1920, by the Indian National Congress, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. It involved surrender of all titles, honourary offices and boycotting all the British courts, offices, and all kind of government run education institutions.
The Civil Disobedience Movement, 1930, occurred under the leadership of Gandhiji followed by the Dandi March.
The Individual Satyagraha, 1940, led by Mahatma Gandhi, the idea was to express people’s feelings that they was not interested in the war and that they made no distinction between Nazism and the double autocracy that rule India. Acharya Vinoba Bhave was the first Satyagrahi, Jawaharlal Nehru was the second Satyagrahi and both were imprisoned.
Quit India Movement in 1942 to 1944 was a result of Gandhiji’s protest against the return of Sir, Stafford Cripps. He wanted to negotiate with the British government for the independence of India through this movement. The famous slogan was given here “Do or Die”.
The Indian Independence Act 1947 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that partitioned British India into two new independent dominations of India and Pakistan (East and West).
The signing of the independence act came at a high price of countless lives, resettlement from their home lands and suffering for many persons. Still we could say that we are “Independent” and we live in Independent India.
On the day of 15th of August every year we hoist our national flag and proudly sing our national anthem to remember, salute and honour the sacrifices made by our national heroes to bring us the sense of freedom that we live, breadth and enjoy today.
Come, let’s together hoist our National Flag, salute the flag and sing the National Anthem and be proud Indians.
“Jai Hind”.
@ Kanad Bhattacharya
GOPSAI AVINANDAN SANGHA
Editor
PAHAR PUJO A UNIQUE EXPRESSION OF NATURE WORSHIP AND INDIGENIOUS ...
জঙ্গলমহল - বাঁকুড়া, পুরুলিয়া, ঝাড়গ্রাম ও পশ্চিম মেদিনীপুরের বিস্তীর্ণ অঞ্চল - প্রাচীনকাল থেকেই এক অনন্য সংস্কৃতি, লোকবিশ্বাস ও প্রকৃতি -পূজার পীঠস্থান। এখানকার অজস্র পাহাড়, জঙ্গল, নদী আর লাল মাটির বুক জুড়ে গড়ে উঠেছে হাজারো বছরের আদিবাসী আচার-অনুষ্ঠান। তারই একটি গভীর অথচ আজ প্রায় বিস্মৃত প্রথা হলো পাহাড় পূজা। পাহাড় পূজা এক আচার, যা কোনও ধর্মগ্রন্থে লেখা নেই, তবু শতাব্দীর পর শতাব্দী ধরে এখানকার মানুষ মন প্রাণ ঢেলে পালন করে আসছে।
World Music Day Celebrating Indias Enduring Sonic Heritage and Its ...
World Music Day, celebrated annually on June 21st, isn't just about listening to tunes, it's a magnificent opportunity to immerse ourselves in the soul-stirring depths of India's profound sonic heritage. This isn't just a day for melodies, it's a global stage to truly appreciate a legacy that has captivated hearts and minds for centuries. From the ancient, resonant echoes of Vedic chants that predate recorded history, to the intricate, emotive landscapes of classical ragas like Hindustani and Carnatic, India's musical journey is a testament to its rich cultural revolution. Imagine the centuries of devotion and discipline poured into perfecting each note, each nuanced phrase, designed not just to entertain but to evoke specific emotions and connect with the divine. The very fabric of Indian classical music has been woven by titans whose names resonate through time. Think of the sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar, who brought Indian classical music to the global stage through his iconic collaborations with Western artists like George Harrison. Or the captivating voice of Bharat Ratna M.S. Subbulakshmi, whose devotion to Carnatic music touched millions. In Hindustani classical, the powerful and soulful renditions of Pandit Bhimsen Joshi (Khayal) and the unparalleled mastery of the shehnai by Ustad Bismillah Khan continue to inspire awe. And who can forget the rhythmic genius of tabla virtuoso Ustad Zakir Hussain, who has pushed the boundaries of percussion across genres. Beyond the classical and folk traditions, towering figures have shaped the modern musical landscape. Rabindranath Tagore, India's first Nobel laureate and a true polymath, made an unparalleled contribution through Rabindra Sangeet. He composed over 2,000 songs, blending elements of Hindustani classical, folk melodies, and Western influences, often setting them to his own poetry. Rabindranath Tagore's music is not merely an accompaniment to his words, it's an integral part of his philosophy, expressing a vast range of human emotions, spiritual insights, and love for nature and country. His compositions are a distinct and beloved genre, deeply ingrained in the cultural psyche of Bengal and beyond. But India's musical story isn't confined to grand concert halls. It thrives in the vibrant rhythms of its diverse folk music, echoing across sun-drenched fields, bustling village squares, and festive celebrations. Each region, each community, boasts its own unique musical dialect – from the spirited bhangra of Punjab to the soulful baul songs of Bengal, and the captivating Lavani of Maharashtra. These are the sounds of daily life, of stories passed down through generations, of shared joy and collective spirit. Legendary folk artists like Bhupen Hazarika from Assam, whose poignant songs spoke of humanity and social justice, or the mesmerizing voices of the Nooran Sisters in Sufi music, have ensured these traditions continue to flourish. India's sonic landscape is constantly evolving, embracing innovative fusions of contemporary genres. Modern Indian artists, championed by trailblazers like the Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman, are fearlessly blending traditional instruments and melodies with Western influences, creating sounds that are both rooted in heritage and refreshingly new. The golden voices of playback singers like Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar and Mohammed Rafi have defined generations of Bollywood music. In current scenario Kumar Sanu, Alka Yagnik, Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghosal, Arijit Singh and so many singers showcasing the versatility and emotional depth of Indian vocal artistry. On this World Music Day, let's not just passively listen, but actively recognize and appreciate the intricate melodies, complex rhythmic structures, and the undeniable spiritual depth embedded within Indian music. It's a reminder of its enduring influence, not just on India's own vibrant culture, but on the wider world, inspiring musicians and enchanting audiences across continents.
Tonumoy Bhattacharya