Ekushey Prabhat Pheri – then and now

Every year 21 February comes into our lives to remind us of the glorious Language Movement of 1952, the supreme sacrifice of the young people, and the subsequent struggle for establishing justice in every sphere of the lives of the Bengalis living in this part of the world. The relentless fight against a tyrant military regime for over two decades culminated in the historic Liberation War in 1971 that saw the birth of Bangladesh as an independent country. Therefore, it can be said with certainty that it all began with the vociferous protests of the students and common people in 1952 when the Pakistani regime wanted to impose Urdu as the only state language. Today we feel proud to say that 21 February has been recognised by the UN as the ‘International Mother Language Day.’

Ekushey February has turned into an iconic event in the literary and cultural life of the Bengalis all over the world and the day is observed with due solemnity. Since the indiscriminate killing of our people on 21 February in 1952, Bengalis have been paying respect to the martyrs through undertaking befitting socio-cultural programmes all over the country. On the day, people come out of their houses in the early dawn to go to the graveyard at Azimpur to place flowers on the graves of the martyrs before beginning other programmes. This ritualistic early morning slow procession has come to be known as ‘Prabhat Pheri’. In the bygone days, prabhat pheri used to be a sombre occasion. In every house, young men and women, children and older citizens, took the preparation throughout the day and the night before to observe the day with due seriousness. Young men and women used to collect flowers from the local residential houses or gardens. Stealing flowers from the backyards of people used to be forgiven by the grumpiest of the landlords of the mahalla.

In those days, the dress code of white sari with black paar for women and white kurta and pajama for men used to be followed with great passion. These garments used to be washed the day before and ironed well to make them look clean and decent. Young men and women with artistic skill used to draw special motifs known in Bangla as ‘alpana’ on the roads. As darkness gradually receded on the eastern horizon and golden rays of the sun began to trickle down below, silent mourners in all white used to go out on the roads, walking bare feet holding a bunch of flowers in hand towards the graves of the Language Martyrs. As men and women proceeded towards Azimpur, they sang the song ‘Amar Bhaier Roktey Rangano Ekushey February, Ami Ki Bhulitey Pari’ in chorus. I still remember someone reciting lines from Abu Zafar Obaidullah’s poem Mago, Ora Boley…. “Kumro Phuley Phuley / Nuey Porechey Lotata / Sajney Datai Bhorey Gechey Gachta / Aar Aami Daler Bori Shukiey Rekhechi / Khoka, Tui Kobey Ashbi?’

Once inside the graveyard, they used to file past the graves silently and place the flowers in their hands with tears in their eyes. And everyone wore a black ribbon as a mark of mourning for the martyrs. From Azimpur the mourners used to go to the central Shaheed Minar to place some more flowers on the altar.

: 21st february 1953

: Ekushey February Now

The Prabhat Pheri and placing of flowers on the Shaheed Minar used to be observed in a peaceful manner. There was no competition among the rival student bodies or political parties. Instead, it used to be an occasion to take a fresh vow to end all sorts of oppression by the rulers who did not belong here. After placing the flowers on the graves the mourners used to either go to attend some major programme held at Ramna or join the smaller ones held at the locality under the banner of local clubs. Commemorative programmes used to be held at the major university student halls. Everywhere one could sense a mood of sorrow on 21 February. Thus Prabhat Pheri not only became an integral part of the observance of the day, it has also immensely enriched the Bengali culture.

Yes, Prabhat Pheri is brought out even today by groups of people but something in it is not there anymore, at least not to the liking of those who have entered the gray years in life. For them, the character of the solemn occasion, especially that of Prabhat Pheri and placing flowers on the altar of the Shaheed Minar, has been greatly distorted with the aggression of the rowdy political elements on the sacred precincts of the Shaheed Minar. In fact, the character of prabhat pheri began to change in the post-Bangladesh era when shameful elbowing of one another by the politicians in a bid to show their faces before the television camera robbed the gravity of the time.

Over the years, the mood has undergone certain changes that are not appreciated by the older generation. Today, political parties vie for the front seat with a show of belligerence that leaves a bad taste in the mouth of many. Political leaders struggle to be on the altar at 12am at night to place huge wreaths of flower making sure beforehand that they are caught on the BTV camera so that people may see their faces in the evening. What a crass show of power! Now, young men and women wake up late (so there is no Prabhat Pheri for them), and turn up in casual dress to enjoy the holiday with friends. And Shaheed Minar has turned into a place for rendezvous. Insensitive men and women climb up the altar of the Minar with shoes on and litter the place with no compunction. The whole place turns into a sea of humans but lacking purpose or sense of solemnity for the sad day. For those who have been around for a long time, these surely are sorry sights.

by Shahnoor Wahid

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