Shahariar Islam Sovon :
The cultural realm is feeling the tremors of escalating tensions between Bangladesh and India, with Bangladeshi artists increasingly drawn into the dispute.
The Kolkata International Film Festival’s exclusion of Bangladeshi films set the tone, and now eminent Rabindra Sangeet artist Rezwana Choudhury Bannya finds herself at the centre of controversy.
Bannya, scheduled to perform at the 19th Environmental Awareness Fair in Madhyamgram, West Bengal, from December 28 to January 1, is facing calls for a boycott. Critics, including a local Facebook group named Madhyamgram Nagarik Samaj, have urged the municipality to cancel her appearance, citing “national interests” and alleged so-called human rights concerns in Bangladesh.
“As Indian citizens, we request the Madhyamgram Municipality to immediately cancel the performance of Rezwana Choudhury Bannya. National pride must take precedence,” read a statement from the group. Claims in Indian media regarding falsely alleged minority oppression and the disrespecting of India’s national flag in Bangladesh have further fuelled these sentiments.
The controversy has also shone a spotlight on Bangladeshi artists with prominent associations in India, including actress Jaya Ahsan and Dhallywood superstar Shakib Khan, who remain silent on the issue. While some interpret this reticence as strategic, it has sparked debate over whether artists have a responsibility to address such sensitive matters, especially when diplomatic ties are fraying.
Cultural commentator Ahmed Tepantor believes artists can act as a bridge during such times. “Artists have a unique role in challenging stereotypes and fostering dialogue. Taking a stand could uphold cultural integrity amidst strained relations,” he told The New Nation.
Madhyamgram Municipality Chairman Nimai Ghosh has dismissed the boycott demands, stating the five-day fair will proceed as planned, featuring a lineup of renowned performers, including Arunita-Pawandeep, Somlata, Chandrabindu Band, Babul Supriyo, and the Nandy Sisters.
The unfolding scenario raises a critical question: should artists lead the charge in preserving cultural harmony amidst political turbulence? Or is their silence a pragmatic choice in navigating a volatile landscape?
As December approaches, all eyes are on Madhyamgram’s Subhas Maidan, where art and politics appear set for an uneasy collision.
