Kakina

The Present and The Past

 

 

There flows the river Teesta in Kaliganj Upazilla (now within Lalmonirhat District) of the then Rangpur District and on it stood the idyllic small village of Kakina. In those olden days, exquisitely beautiful and tall trees of foreign origin used to be visible across the banks of the Teesta and its crystal clear flowing water. With its uniqueness of nature, roads and alleys, vibrant institutions and bustling events, urbane ethos and cultured environment, Kakina stood distinguishably singular among the villages.

Kakina did not appear to be an outlying and remote village. Kakina was the hub of dense activities and did not seem to be a simple and sleeping little village. The identity of Kakina as a distant and pastoral village was indeed blurred and overtaken by the overtone of a brisk township.

 The background of the Eighteenth Century played a vital role in the vintage of Kakina Chakla (Circle); this was linked with history of victorious march of Mughal Fouzder. Successful in obtaining their beneficence, the Zamindari dynasty was established. Kakina emerged in the framework of a feudal estate. Onward journey of patrician exercises, spread of education and cultural pursuits ensued in Kakina. The aristocracy of the upper layers permeated all stratas of the society of Kakina and made Kakina stand out in splendour in the realms of the then Rangpur District. In exploration of aristocracy of Kakina, if Rajbari (the palace) is left out and forgotten; a good deal of the past of Kakina and its glory will also be forgotten and

Known for his benevolence to his subjects, kindness and character; King Mahima Ranjan Rai of Kakina, who was born in 1854 and an adopted son of Kakina's Zamindar Shambhu Chandra Roy, brought remarkable name and fame to Kakina. Kakina was in fact, ennobled by him and Kakina was shining under his rule. Agricultural development, Training in Industrial # production and introduction of Rewards and prizes, Supply of Drinking water, establishment of large Museum and library, Publication of weekly "Rangpur Dike-Prakash" (founded in 1860 by Shambhu Chandra) and its efficient management, collection of the best books from different corners of the world and establishment of Mahimaranjan library and the Kakina ME School and its development were the hallmark of Mahimaranjan's activities. In short, with his patronization for Industry, Education, Cultural and literary pursuits, Mahimaranjan endowed Kakina with exceptional magnificence and glory. The erudite and cultivated society of Kakina grew up consisting of a large number of Hindu Upper middle class and a few Muslims elite families.

For common folk, a role model of education came into being. A new dimension was added when in 1909, Son of Mahimaranjan, Mahendra Ranjan Roy, in order to preserve the memory of his father, founded Kakina Mohimaranjan Memorial English High School. The school brought upon a great influence and sway on the people from far and around. The magnetic personality of the Headmaster Giriza Shanker Gupta, his able leadership and the host of competent and committed teachers made Kakina a hub of enlightenment and a catalyst in spread of education in the surrounding areas. This was recognized by all and the traditional heritage of Kakina continued in some degree till the fifties of the last century.

 

 The history of golden time of Kakina is now forgotten, a thing of the past. When one thinks of Kakina, one is reminded of artificial earthen hills, Brahmah- Shamaz Bhaban, vast Shambhu Shagar (the vast pond with concrete pavements), Public Theater Hall, cheering Sports fields, pavements and roads laden with plants and flowers, lamp-stands on the road-corners, uncommon trees, caressing elixir of open breeze blowing across the Teesta.

 

With these also come to the mind, memories of Market Places and Bazaars, Fishes, Vegetables, Fruits that used to be garnered in plenty and at cheap price and host of other recollections. Memories also conjured up of all those who held Kakina dear to their heart and gave Kakina its glory. They appear in the mind in vivid reminiscences of sweet sadness.

 

In short, the small village was cherished, overwhelmed and showered in love. Memories are still fresh and have not faded. Those who still live centering Kakina reminisced about the days that are no more. In this ethos and cultural heritage grew up poet Fazlal Karim-the poet who wrote about "heaven and hell" and who exclaimed in his poem, "no need to look for heaven and hell in the distant, unknown realm; heaven and hell exist in the world itself. Man is the ultimate source and creator of heavenly joy and solace; and with him also lays the ultimate source of grief".

 

He was also a great prose-writer and with equal ease, a writer of essays and articles too. He lived the creative life of a writer in his familiar surroundings of Kakina. He worked and lived in his village and wrote more than 58 books. "Kabya Bhushan" Shahitay Bisharad" "Kabya Ratnakar" and other prestigious titles, recognition and laurels from the literary world were showered on the poet and that also brought Kakina great honour and acclaim.

 

Many other writers, singers, artists, social workers, men of talents, literary critics used to reside in Kakina and enrich the place. Kakina crossed the turbulent periods of the British Raj in the 20th Century and entered into the period of Pakistan. Some continuity in tradition and some remnants from the glorious past were still lingering on and Kakina limped out 24 years of Pakistan. With the introduction of Thana-centered administration of Ayub Khan, Kakina got disjointed from the core of administration and it gradually lost its ardour and prominence.

 

 

 

 

 

Translated from Bengali by Ashiqur Rahman