By Prabir Bose
Paola Baisakh is the day of the coronation of Yeshohar-Nripati Maharaja Pratapaditya (1561-1611). If we bring up the memory of Maharaj, it will reveal the story of establishing another ideal of Bengali independent swaraj against the aggressor Mughals. The boundary of the state was from Dhumghat to Patna, and Puri to Sandeep in Chittagong. Even before Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (1630-1680) Bengal led the way in displaying valor against the Mughals. In contrast to the modern story of the ever-popular Bengali weakness, it is not the duty of anti-patriots to remind us that the weak Shaktipujaris also lived in Bengal, it is the duty of patriots.
‘Pratapaditya Utsav’ by Rabindra-Baghni Saraladevi Choudhurani (1872-1945) is an attempt to worship the history of such a national life, which history has not been properly grasped. His activities were stick games and weapon worship. In 1903 Sarala Devi Chaudhurani introduced the Pratapaditya festival on Baisakhi Purnima. And this year, dramatist Kshirodprasad Vidyabinod’s play ‘Banger Pratapaditya’ was published. The dramatist showed there, there is no work that Bengalis cannot do. Now who is that glory? Poet Bharat Chandra writes,
“Jesore Nagar Dham, Pratap-Aditya Nama,
Maharaj Bangaj Kayastha.
Keh Nahi Ante Tay, Nahi Mane Patsaye,
As Bhupati approaches in fear.
The son-in-law of Bhavani, the beloved of the world
Fifty-two thousand whose dhalis.
Sixteenth Holka Hati, Ayut Turanga Sathi,
Commander Kali during the war.”
In 1895, Balgangadhar Tilak introduced ‘Shivaji Utsav’ to awaken the countrymen against British oppression. This Marathi festival also spread influence in Bengal. Sarala Devi composed the small booklets of Bengal’s Vir series and inspired the Bengali youth in Birras. Along with that, the ‘Udayaditya festival’ was organized to commemorate the valor of Pratapaditya’s son Udayaditya. Freedom-seeking youths completed Veer Puja by placing flowers on stage and placing large swords.
Saraladevi was Rabindranath’s niece and youngest daughter of Swarnakumari Devi, daughter of Maharishi Devendranath. He started the ‘Pratapaditya Utsav’ to awaken the youth of Bengal and ignite the fire of patriotism among them. Pratap’s coronation day was the first Baisakh. That day itself was chosen as the day of initiation and adoption of arms. At the invitation of Manilal Ganguly in Bhavanipur, Calcutta, the day of the annual festival of the General Sahitya Samiti was set as the condition of Sarala’s participation in Paola Baisakh. So Saraladevi agreed to be the president of the festival. The date of the festival was then introduced on this day itself. The Bengali Veer Puja festival, the practice of Shakti Puja within the context of moving the British power, started in Bangladesh just as the Marathas were strengthened by the introduction of the Shivaji festival.
Bipin Chandra Pal (1858-1932) praised the organization of this festival in Young India magazine and wrote, “As necessity is the mother of invention, Sarala Devi is the mother of Pratapaditya to meet the necessity of a hero for Bengal.”
The festival did not have an exhausting program of lectures. Rather, it was the motivation to become strong inside and outside by watching the exhibition of heroic games. Only one essay reading was arranged, that is the biography of Pratapaditya there was the swearing of weapons and the display of the best Bengali wrestlers, swordsmanship, boxing, and various Tricks of stick players. At that time Pratapaditya Utsav created a great stir in the minds of young people all over Bengal. Meanwhile, in 1905 the British partitioned Bengal and tried to break Bengali unity, the fire of patriotic energy spread rapidly against the background of the revolution.
Today Pratapaditya Bengali remember? Do you remember Maharaj Shashank? If a Bengali has to do something called the last defense in Mahakarya, the Sadhana of Viraras is very necessary so that everything does not become bogged down by character weakness. The pursuit of the best Bengali warrior form is for this reason. Being a warrior and worshiping a warrior.
