Freitag, 31. Januar 2014
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
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