Vishnu Rava Day was celebrated across the state on Saturday (June 20). Many have paid tribute to the great artiste by performing his songs on social media. Listening to Vishnu Rava’s music reveals one thing—his songs of love, separation and human sentiments touch the hearts of common people more deeply than those inspired by his revolutionary thoughts. That doesn’t mean his revolutionary songs are worthless. Instead, they contribute greatly to social awareness and struggle consciousness. But in terms of people’s sensitivity, songs like “Nahar Phule Nushui”, “Parajanmar Shubo Lagan”, “Uti Ja Uti Ja”, “Bilte Halise”, “Rai Rai Keteki Binle” etc. occupy a special place in people’s minds.
Vishnu Rava was a lifelong fighter. In 1930, while studying at Ripon College, Calcutta, he joined the lawlessness movement and was expelled from the college. Later he went to study in Cooch Behar and joined the anti-British movement there. As a result he could not complete his regular education. But besides being a struggling being, he was a distant lover of deep feelings.
Priyabala Barua was his first girlfriend. He met Priyabala while studying in college. They were married on 24 November 1937 in Calcutta. Priyabala died of typhoid in Calcutta just a month after her marriage. It was from this deep personal sorrow that his immortal song “Parajanmar Shubo Lagan” was born.
Later he met Kankalata Medhi while visiting the Communist Party of India. A combination of ideas and ideals led to a relationship and ended in marriage but this relationship also did not last long. In 1961, Kankalata also died. He later married Mohini Vasumatari and they lived together till the end of his life.
He was a constant fighter for the liberation of the motherland and his creative works, especially his songs, revealed his revolutionary ideals and deep human sensibilities.
The number of such people in our country is very few. Most of us have shouted “Inkilab Zindabad” at least once in our lives; But who knows who made this noise? The famous slogan was introduced by famous Urdu poet, ghazal writer and freedom fighter Hasrat Mohani of Uttar Pradesh. He used the slogan for the first time in 1921; Later revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt made it more popular. His real name is Syed Fazal-ul-Hasan. He was also a member of the Constituent Assembly of India. Mohani was also an early member of the Communist Party of India.
But surprisingly, Hasrat Mohini is still remembered not only as a struggle leader but also as a writer of unique ghazals like “Chupke Chupke Raat Din”. The ghazal was sung by famous singer Ghulam Ali and touched the hearts of millions of listeners. In other words, his humanistic literature has a more enduring appeal than struggle.
There are significant similarities between Vishnu Rava and Hasrat Mohani. Both were militant figures, and like Rava, Mohini was expelled from college for anti-British activities. He was imprisoned several times for participating in the freedom struggle. Both are saddened and upset that even in the post-independence period, the plight of the people of the country has not improved much. Rava said, “Yeh azadi ghutha hai”, while Mohani distanced himself from the government. At the same time, both Rava and Mohini had a deep sense of humanity, love and beauty. Which we have seen reflected in Rava’s works, especially in his songs; And in the case of Mohini in his ghazals and Urdu poetry.
A similar similarity can be observed in the case of rebel poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. Vishnu Rava, Hasrat Mohini and Kazi Nazrul Islam—all three deeply believed in the immense power of culture and literature to transform society.
These three great men have taught us an important lesson—no revolution lasts without touching the hearts of the people. It is love, separation, beauty and human sensitivity that ultimately immortalises art. And, revolutions are born out of a deep love for humanity, beauty and freedom. Vishnu Rab’s thoughts and ideals can guide us in many ways in the current crisis of Assam. That should be the purpose of Rava Divas.