Poet, lyricist and singer Rajanikanta Sen, is considered one of the Pancha-Kobis, an elite league of five major poets-songwriters of the Bangla Language.
Rajanikanta Sen began his career as a Munsif of Natore and Naogaon sub-divisions but soon he left the judicial career for full time writing and other cultural activities. He demonstrated his poetic genius at a very early age by composing songs on goddess Kali. He used to sing his own songs often at the house of Akshay Kumar Maitreya. The monthly Utsaha used to publish his writings. Devotional and patriotic themes made the main basis of his poems and songs. Of course, he also composed love songs and satirical verses. One of his songs composed during the swadeshi movement, Mayer Deoya mota kapad mathay tule nere bhai (Revere the coarse cloth spun in your motherland), became very popular.
Rajanikanta Sen wrote several books, such as Vani (1902), Kalyani (1905), Amrta, Abhaya, Anandamayi and Bishram (1910), Sadbhabkusum (1913) and Shesdan (1916). Vani and Kalyani are collections of his songs. He became well known as Kantakabi.
Born in the village of Bhangabari in Pabna (now in Bangladesh), Rajanikanta was the author of "Pathachintamani," a book of Kirtan songs, and "Abhay Bihar," a book of lyrical poems. His father Guruprasad Sen served as a sub-judge in many parts of Bengal. He was tutored by his father in music from early childhood. After obtaining his BA and BL (1891) degrees from Calcutta City College, he began to practice law in Rajshahi.
Rajanikanta demonstrated his poetic power at the early age of 15 by composing songs dedicated to the goddess Kali. He used to sing his compositions at the house of Akshay Kumar Maitreya. The monthly Utsaha used to publish his writings. Devotion and patriotism formed the primary themes of his poems and songs, although he also composed love songs and satirical verses.
Tagore exponent Professor Ahmed Rafiq said, "Though Rajanikanta was influenced by Rabindranath Tagore, his songs have some unique characteristics. Most of them are inspired by his devotion. In addition, his love for his country forms another important theme of his songs."
Professor Mohammad Samad said, "Rajanikanta was influenced by Rabindranath Tagore, but his songs have some unique characteristics as well. Most of them are inspired by his devotion to God. In addition, his patriotism forms another important theme of his songs. The surge of patriotism at the beginning of the twentieth century inspired Rajanikanta to compose songs like Mayer DeoyaMotaKapad, MathayTule NereBhai. This song became very popular, especially among the youth who got inspired by the nationalistic spirit. Rajanikanta also composed satiric songs under the influence of DwijendralalRoy."
The songs of Rajanikanta were inspired by the tunes and themes of Kirtan, Baul, Ramprasadi, Panchali. "Mishra Raga" (mixed raga) is predominant in Rajanikanta's compositions. September 13 marked the 118th death anniversary Rajanikanta Sen.
The writer is a freelance contributor.
