Distortion of Nazrul's song: AR Rehman issue

No doubt at all that AR Rehman is a legendary musician. He became known all over India at the age of 21/22 because of his composition in the movie 'Roja' in the early nineties of the last century. Born and raised as a Hindu and later converted to Islam along with other family members and named himself after Sura 'Ar Rahman'. Films like 'Roja', 'Bombay', 'Dil Se', 'Paradesh', 'Slumdog Millionaire', 'Rockstar', etc. brought him solid seats, gave money and honored with Oscar even.

AR Rehman now recreated a song of Bangladesh national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. He dissected one of the milestones of India's awakening song 'Karar Oi Lauhakpat' in his own style. The song has been used in the movie Pippa, released this week. Sorry to say the Pippa version of the song is not even close to the original tune. He has assassinated an immortal and historic song. The interesting thing is that no one would have remembered the low budget movie Pippa directed by Rajakrishna Menon if this particular song had not come up with chaos. It seems that no one in Bangladesh has heard about the story of this movie made about the liberation war of Bangladesh.

But it is sad to see Bollywood's negligence towards Nazrul. Deshbandhu CR Das was also neglected through this incident. Because the poet wrote the song at the request of Chittaranjan Das's wife Smt. Basanti Devi. Everyone is more or less aware of Nazrul's relationship with Deshbandhu and at least those who keep track of literature know this story. Saddened by his untimely death, the poet composed an entire book of poetry 'Chittanama' and dedicated to his memories. We know about 'Karar Oi Lauhakpat' that this song became the language of protest of those who were in jail. It was first used in the movie 'Chittagong Armory Loot' in 1949. Then in 69-70, Zaheer Raihan used this song in his epic movie 'Jiban Theke Neya'. The most important thing is that this song and Nazrul are almost synonymous. Like his rebellious poem The Rebel, 'Karar Oi Louhakpat' is a representational creation of the poet. But AR Rehman has buried the song by recreating a distorted tune. Here is our protest.

If the controversy over the song 'Karar Oi Louhakpat' had not started, a positive discussion could have started in Bangladesh about the movie 'Pippa'. The movie is about the 'Garibpur War' that took place in the liberation war. This heroic battle was initiated under the leadership of Sector Commander General Manzoor on the banks of Kapotaksha in Jessore. Captain BS Mehta of the Indian Army was the vice-captain. The war took place in November 1971. A few days later, India formally declared war against Pakistan on 3 December.

BS Mehta i.e. Balram Singh Mehta later retired as Brigadier. A wonderful book written by him about the Gharibpur War is 'The Burning Chafees'. Chafee is an American made tank. Gharibpur battle crushed Niazi's pride. Pakistan's tanks were reduced to ashes. He made heroic contributions as vice-captain. And the General Manzoor (then Lt. Col.) was praised.

India captures this unique contribution of its Eastern Command on celluloid. The script is written according to The Burning Chafees. The film is produced by actress Vidya Balan's husband Siddharth Roy Kapur and Ronnie Screwwala. Mahesh Bhatt's wife Soni Razdan played an important role.

The song 'Karar Ai Louhakpat' was used in the movie Pippa in a distorted tune. What should we do now? Poet Nazrul family, Kabi Nazrul Institute, Churulia Nazrul Academy, Dhaka University Bangla Department, Mymensingh Nazrul University, Asansol Nazrul University, Prasanga Nazrul Sangeet (PNS)- Every organization and all Nazrul lovers should protest this incident. The song should be withdrawn from the film Pippa and its use by following the original tune (Girin Chakraborty) should be ensured.

I know one person from Moghbazar who could not understand the poet even after being associated with Nazrul for more than four decades. I used to think of A.R. Rehman as he used to find gold wherever he put his hands. Tanha Tanha, Dil Hai Choutacha, Rang Rangila Re, Tal Se Tal Mila, Maa Tujhe Salaam, Mustafa Mustafa, Zia Jwale etc. he kept us in awe throughout the nineties.
But he has been failed completely whenever came to work with our national poet. Nazrul is an unquenchable flame. Not everyone can reach to his precious creation.

The poet himself said in a poem :
'You have borne the fruit, but you have not got the juice, alas, the basket of fruit,
A pebble does not get juice after being submerged in a fountain for millions of years.'

Rafique Sulayman : Nazrul lover and art-critic