The Voice of Swadeshi

With the spirit of revolution and the rhythm of devotion, Rajanikanta Sen became the Kantakabi of Bengal.

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Darkness had swept the land. The air reverberated with the slogans of Swadeshi. An unbridled passion of patriotism flooded the beating hearts out on the streets. The flames rose higher and higher until all the foreign clothes burned to ashes. As the flames danced to their own beat, a familiar tune floated in the air.

“*My brothers, please accept the coarse clothing offered by your mother

As this is all your poor mother can afford.”*

It was the call for Swadeshi, it was the cry for freedom. Inked by the pen of Rajanikanta Sen and carried by thousands of freedom fighters, Sen’s words fueled a movement. Achieving a stature which only few could, his name became listed in the register of the greats.

It was on the 26th of July, 1865 that a boy was born in the Sen household of Bhangabari. Born to a father who composed lyric poetry and a mother who lost herself in the pages of great literature, Rajanikanta’s childhood would also drift between music, poems, and stories. Soon the boy would grow up and cross the threshold of his home and attend school at Boalia Zilla. Time started to flow by and he would arrive at Calcutta. Very soon a career in law awaited him as he passed with flying colours from Calcutta’s City College.

However, every story has its turning point and Rajanikanta’s was no exception. It was a well-to-do family that he hailed from but tragedy would strike soon. Rajanikanta witnessed the death of his father and brothers. Plunged into poverty, he delved into the profession of law. It was one of the most respectable fields and Rajanikanta excelled in it. However, the boy who now wore the robes of a munshif in Rajshahi was more interested in picking up the pen and so he did, never realizing that he would one day become immortal with his creations.

Called the Kantakabi of Bengal, he composed one song after another. Choosing themes such as devotion and patriotism, his lyrics would spread far and wide.

Whether it was a devout follower worshipping Goddess Kali or a freedom fighter breathing his last in the gallows, Rajanikanta’s song would be picked up by everyone.Even though he meddled into other genres such as romance and satire, it were the religious and patriotic songs that made his name popular. Stepping from the 19th century to the 20th century, he would soon witness the revolution that was called Swadeshi. The Kantakabi would also jump into the struggle as he would compose songs that would only fire the Swadeshi movement further.

By now a prolific writer, his collections such as Vani and Kalyani found a permanent shelf in most of the houses. He would also become a close friend to Rabindranath Tagore and many exchanges took place between these two poets of Bengal.

However, fate would strike again and this time it would come with a watch. Rajanikanta was diagnosed with Larynx cancer and only had a few years to live. Once a munshif who won cases with his words, and a composer who weaved words into songs, he was to lose his voice. His health was deteriorating fast and even after his plea for miracles, fate wouldn’t show mercy.

His last days were spent at the Calcutta medical college where friends, followers, and even Rabindranath Tagore came to visit him. Finally, on the 13th of September 1910, the 45-year-old Rajanikanta breathed his last. The life of a poet came to a tragic end but his writings did not. Several years after his death, his compositions would be again picked up during partition. Immortal and alive in his creations, the writer became one of the greatest stars in the history of the country.