The life and times of a revolutionary
Subrata Kumar Das explores a centenarian's career
Ognijhora Dingulo, Binod Behari Chowdhury, Savdachash Prokashon, Chittagong
Binod Bihari Chowdhury, the iconic revolutionary figure of the subcontinent, turned one hundred on 10 January this year. By all accounts yet a young man, he has produced a book called Ognijhora Dingulo (The Flaming Days) through dictation where he has deliberated on his long as well as told and untold stories of his eventful life. There is no doubt that the publication of the book will help us learn more about this centenarian figure who has observed the three phases of the evolution of the Bengali nation the British era, the Pakistan era and the present Bangladesh era and thus has made himself an erudite figure in the historical perspective. Born in Chittagong to Kamini Kumar Chowdury and Bama Chowdhury, the veteran revolutionary Binod Bihari Chowdhury started his academic life at Rangamati Board School in Fatikchhari Thana of Chittagong District. Later on he attended Coronation Uchcha Biddalaya of Fatikchhari, Chittagong, and P C Sen Saroatoli Uchcha Biddalaya of Boalkhali, Chittagong, where he pursued secondary education. Chittagong College and University of Kolkata were to provide him with the opportunity of pursuing higher studies. He did his MA in English in 1939 and graduated in law subsequently. These are the facts that are revealed in this recently published book. But more than that the book, in fact, delineates the simplified stories of the different phases in the life of the veteran politico-cultural personality. The chapters include 'Amar Priyo Gram' (My Beloved Village), 'Amar Bere Otha' (My Growing Up), 'Amar Biplobi Jiboner Suchona' (Beginning of My Revolutionary Life), 'Jubo Bidroher Kotha O Jalalabad Juddho' (The Story of the Youth Revolution and Jalalabad War), 'Jalalabad Juddho O Amar Kotha' (Jalalabad War and Me), 'Ferari Jibon' (My Fugitive Life), 'Amar Jailjibon' (My Life in Prison), 'Jailkhanai Porashona' (Studies in Prison), 'Bhasha Andolone Sompriktota' (My Involvement in the Language Movement), 'Bhasha Andolone Chottogram' (Chittagong in the Language Movement), 'Muktijuddhe Amar Sompriktota' (My Involvement in the Liberation War), 'Bangabandhur Hotyar Shorhojontro O Amar Kotha' (Bangabandhu Murder Conspiracy and and My Statement) are the episodes that Binod Bihari Chowdhury has enjoyed dictating to Tapati Roy and Hossain Anwar who made transcripts of them to be published in a book form. The titles can easily delineate what spans of his life are demonstrated in the thin but invaluable two-cover production. It is a well known fact that Chowdhury joined the group of revolutionaries called Jugantor and thus became a very close associate of the revolutionaries Mastarda Surjya Sen, Tarkeswhar Dastidar, Modhushudon Datta and Ramkrishna Biswas. His devotion and sincerity in the anti-British movement made him an integral part of our history. But he contributed not only in the movements against the British rulers, but subsequently against the Pakistani military junta as well. His fiery nationalistic sentiments never remained silent whenever the existence of the nation was in trouble. The stories that the revolutionary relates are not that much unknown to readers who have an inclination toward history, especially accounts of the British colonial days. But the speciality of Ognijhora Dingulo comes through the personal tone which seems to be rather a novel approach for readers. So many events were he involved in, so many great people he met with, so many phases of our historic movements he has been engaged in that it all seems incredible. And yet that is the incontrovertible truth. Chowdhury is polite with his readers. He does not patronize. Think of the qualities that can make a legendary personality like him write: 'As I don't have enough practice in writing, there could be found many errors. But I have tried to picture some of the revolutionary events in the hope that the youth of today will attain bravery leaving behind all their lethargy. This is the reason behind the writing of the book. I will be grateful if knowledgeable people bring the errors in the work to my notice. This is my request.' Maybe this modesty is a common feature among illustrious people like him? A particular attraction of the book is the 72 photographs of the revolutionary, though all of them show the elderly Chowdhury. These include some with famous personalities like Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina or Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus; while some others depict his family people in a very informal milieu. Some photographs also tell of the sweet moments of the later-life activist, like celebrating his birthdays, et cetera. It would have been a better collection if photographs covering his whole life, in its various phases, had been accommodated in the volume. The respected-by-all personality Binod Bihari Chowdhury's Ognijhora Dingulo is a careful presentation of its publisher Sanjit Banik, a real devotee of the 100-year old dignitary and an enthusiast of Bangla literature. As the proprietor of Savdachash Prokason, he has many worthy books to his credit and Ognijhora Dingulo is certainly a rich addition to the list. Sanjit Banik deserves real appreciation for making available to us such a black and white documentation of the momentous days of our pride, namely, Binod Bihari Chowdhury.
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