http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=35307
Daily Star, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Wednesday, May 7, 2008 03:13 AM GMT+06:00
Pahela Baishakh and Hindi songs
By Ahmad Ferdous Bin Alam, Department of CSE, Dhaka University
In response to my letter published in DS on April 21 regarding James'
rendition of Hindi song at a concert on Pahela Baishakh, Mr. Nazmus
Saquib, in his letter in DS on April 27, 2008, tried to enlighten me
and I aptly appreciate his kind effort. But I'm sorry to say that he
misconstrued the message I intended to pass. So I feel I should make
my point unambiguous.
Mr. Saquib said that we all should respect our language from our
hearts. I do agree. He also said that what James did was not at all
something for which we should blame him. I can't but disagree! No
doubt it's a matter of great pride when we see our own singers making
their powerful presence felt in the international arena. But that
doesn't mean that a singer of that high stature can act irresponsibly
by singing a Hindi song at a concert celebrating an occasion that
signifies the identity, culture and tradition of our Bengali nation.
Personally, I enjoy melodious Hindi songs. Nowhere in my letter did I
"shout at Hindi songs" as he claimed. I simply expressed my opinion
that it was indubitably inopportune and irresponsible to sing a Hindi
song on Pahela Baishakh and James should have been careful about this.
That's it.
"To refrain from singing in Hindi for just one particular day would
not prove our true love for our mother tongue", He says. Does that
justify stage performance of Hindi songs on Pahela Baishakh either?
Ridiculous!
Respect and love for our own country and mother tongue are something
that need not be flaunted, rather are felt in the way we act.
Irresponsible behaviour on the part of a popular celebrity can mislead
his ardent fans in their realisation of the spirit of Pahela Baishakh.
|
