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Bishnu Rabha – A Revolutionary Artiste
by Babul Tamuli
Bishnu Prasad Rabha was one of the blazing stars of the 20th century Assam. A multifaceted genius – he was a lyricist, singer, music composer, choreographer, dancer, playwright, actor, sportsman, poet, novelist, sculptor, artist, critic, humourist, politician and a good orator. A revolutionary communist, Rabha bore an award of ten thousand rupees over his head. On the other hand, he was the beloved Kalaguru (preceptor of art) for the masses.
The life of Bishnu Rabha was most eventful like that of the hero of an adventurous story. He was bom at Dacca, in the present day capital of Bangladesh on January 31, 1909. His father Gopal Chandra Rabha was a Major Subedar of the British army in India. The primary education of Bishnu Rabha was started in an army school at Dacca in Bengali medium. After retirement, Gopal Chandra Rabha shifted to Tezpur in Assam and permanently settled there. Bishnu Rabha was admitted into Tezpur Govt. High School and from there he passed Matriculation examination in first division in 1926. Then he left for Kolkata for higher studies and got himself admitted into the ISc classes of St Pauls Mission College. Successfully passing ISc examination in 1928 he took admission in the BSc classes of the prestigious Ripon College at Kolkata.
While he was studying at Kolkata, the freedom movement of the country accelerated to its greatest extent under the dynamic leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. Imbued with nationalistic fervour and spirit of patriotism young Bishnu Rabha also joined the movement. He took active part in the Civil Disobedience Movement called by Mahatma Gandhi in 1930. As a result, he became target of the British administration. Repeated police harassment and atrocities at last compelled him to leave Kolkata. Leaving Ripon College in 1930 he got himself admitted into the BA classes of Victoria College at Coochbehar. There too he actively participated in the war against the British imperialist rule in India. He alone hoisted the national tricolour in a number of places in Coochbehar town within a night. Describing the British officers as ‘uncastrated goats’ he wrote slogans on the street walls and incited people to behead them for well being of the country. His anti British activities compelled him to leave Coochbehar. Leaving Victoria College, he took admission in Karmical College at East Bengal. But the voice of protest against the imperialist rule did not cease at his new place. Replacing the union jack he hoisted the national tricolour at the top of the college building. The police issued non-bailable warrant against Rabha. Closing academic life, Rabha returned to Tezpur and dedicated himself in the service of the country and its people.
After relentless effort of a huge number of freedom loving people, the country became free from the clutches of the British rules on August 15, 1947. But that freedom could not bring any change to the fate of thousands of down-trodden masses of the country. It was actually a transition of power from a section of elite people to another. So this shattered the long cherished dream of freedom from the mind of Bishnu Rabha. He openly declared jehad against the native exploiters and started another revolution in order to establish equal rights for all people.
Inspired by the ideals of Marx and Angels, Rabha wanted to build an egalitarian society with equal rights and share of wealth for every section of the people. He believed in class struggle and for this he took up arms to launch a battle against the landlords and Zamindars. He considered that only the true tillers of the soil should have right over their own soil. Along with the gun he took the pen to awake the people against the imperialist rule. He wrote a number of songs and urged the people to come forward breaking the bondage of slavery and exploitation. The native ruler labeled Rabha as extremist and issued orders to arrest him. Rabha went underground. At last he was arrested by police and was remanded to jail custody for a year.
A symbol of amity, integrity and solidarity Rabha acted as a bridge between the tribal and non-tribal people of Assam. Assimilating different ethnic groups of the region he wanted to mould a great Assamese society. He believed that the Assamese society without the ethnic groups will be like the Brahmaputra without its tributaries. Carrying the message of love and peace he went to the people and completely mingled with them. From Sadiya to Dhuburi he toured extensively meeting diverse sections of people. At Dotma, he danced Bagarumba with the Bodo boys and girls, sung Ojapali at Tamulpur and danced Bihu for the whole night at Dergaon. Rabha soon became atoi (friend) for the masses everywhere he went.
Rabha inherited 2500 bighas of land from his father at the heart of Tezpur town. So he could easily lead a luxurious life if he so desired. But like many deprived poor he lived a simple life. Even he spent many sleepless nights with empty stomach. His beloved wife Kanaklata died of illness without proper treatment due to want of money. But uncompromised Rabha sticked to his principle. He had everything but he possessed nothing. He was a king without a kingdom. He spent a bohemian life till his death. With his amiable nature and humour he conquered the hearts of the people everywhere he went. His music, lyrics and poetry still enthrall thousands of his admirers and listeners. His analytical writings on art, culture, literature, sociology and anthropology have now become valuable documents for scholars and researchers. His superb acting in a number of Assamese cinemas at its very beginning inspired the present generation. Next to Rupkonwar Jyotiprasad Agarwalla, he was the chief architect of Assamese drama, music and cinema.
Courtesy: The Assam Tribune (February 2008)
 
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