“Ganga Behti ho Kyun?” A song by Bhupen Hazarika which is relevant in every era…!
Bhupen Hazarika, A name that is forever printed on our hearts and memory all because of his writings. An Assamese Poet, lyricist, playback singer, actor, filmmaker, and politician who became a household name, because of his different voice and powerful words. His songs, based on the themes of communal amity, universal justice, and empathy, are especially popular among the people of Assam and entire India. Today marks his birth anniversary. We would like to remember his most famous song “Ganga Behti ho Kyun?” and how it is relevant for all eras.
Dr. Bhupen Hazarika wrote “Ganga Behti ho Kyun?” with an aim of showing a mirror to society. He is asking a question to the holy river Ganga when all these things are going on in our society, Wil why are you flowing? What is the significance of your holiness?
This particular song has 4 paragraphs and each para or each stanza has something to say. Something to tell about society. Let’s see what this entire song says.
GANGA BEHTI HO KYUN?...!
It starts with an assamese lines “बिस्तिर्नो पारोरे, अशंख्य जोनोरे हाहाकार खुनिऊ निशोब्दे निरोबे बुढ़ा लुइत तुमि, बुढ़ा लुइत बुआ कियो ?” Which says, “विस्तार है आपार, प्रजा दोनों पार करे हाहाकार निःशब्द सदा ओ गंगा तुम, गंगा बहती हो क्यूँ?” That means the Ganga river has immense expansion. There are people on each side, are they suffering, crying out loud and still you are keeping quiet, you are speaking? You aren’t doing anything…! Why? Why are you flowing river Ganga?you can get rid of all your sins if you take bath in the Holy river Ganga, But when there are so many sins, everywhere, how Ganga alone can vanish all these sins?
Then Bhupen Hazarika says, “नैतिकता नष्ट हुई, मानवता भ्रष्ट हुई निर्लज्ज भाव से बहती हो क्यूँ ? इतिहास की पुकार, करे हुंकार ओ गंगा की धार, निर्बल जन को सबल-संग्रामी, समग्रोगामी बनाती नहीं हो क्यूँ ?” These lines remind me of malpractice in our society “Dowry” These lines, reflect how moral ethics are now going to drain and people ask for money now also from the bride's family as dowry. Even after so many laws and everything we still see this malpractice in our society. So many young girls are dying because of dowry pressure. And that’s where the “Manavta”, Humanity dies. Dr. Hazarika is saying, “Even after all this why are you quiet? Why don’t you make the weak one the strongest? Why don’t you listen to the voice of our ancient times? What beautiful lyrics.
In the next stanza, he says, “अनपढ़ जन, अक्षरहिन अनगीन जन, खाद्यविहीन नेत्रविहीन दिक्षमौन हो क्यूँ ? इतिहास की पुकार, करे हुंकार ओ गंगा की धार, निर्बल जन को सबल-संग्रामी, समग्रोगामी बनाती नहीं हो क्यूँ ?
This again reminds me of malpractice in our society which is now also popular in villages. Bonded Labors. They are illiterate and the landlord takes the advantage of their illiteracy. This again puts light on the importance of Literacy in India.
Another Stanza talks about, “व्यक्ति रहे व्यक्ति केंद्रित सकल समाज व्यक्तित्व रहित निष्प्राण समाज को छोड़ती न क्यूँ ? इतिहास की पुकार, करे हुंकार ओ गंगा की धार, निर्बल जन को सबल-संग्रामी, समग्रोगामी बनाती नहीं हो क्यूँ ? This Stanza reminds me about the eve teasing and rapes that are going on in our country, Recent example of Jharkhand says it all. When such cases are happening no one comes forward for help. They will be there and witness everything but won’t come forward for help. And that says how self-centered our society is. Lines “Nishpran Samaj ko chhodti na kyu?” Will shake your soul.
And in the last para when he says, “स्त्रृतस्विनी क्यूँ न रहीं? तुम निश्चय चितन नहीं प्राणों में प्रेरणा देती न क्यूँ ? उन्नत अवनी कुरुक्षेत्रग्रमी गंगे जननी, नव भारत में भीष्मरूपी सुतसमरजयी जनती नहीं हो क्यूँ ?”He is asking River Ganga why are you not producing “Bhishma rupi Sut samarajayi” veer in this country anymore? Poet is fed up with whatever going on in society and now asking for a solution.
These lyrics say a lot. They speak for the society. And they were relevant 40 years ago, they are relevant now as well. That is the power of Bhupen Hazarika’s words.
On his Birth Anniversary, we remember him with his powerful words, and message to society. Let’s bring change in our society and make this world a better place to live.