Apan Kaje Auchal Hole

Apan Kaje Auchal Hole
Martyred intellectual of the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, S. M. A. Rashidul Hasan, was the father of renowned Rabindra Sangeet artiste Roquaiya Hasina Neely. On 14 December 1971, when victory was only a breath away, collaborators of the Pakistan Army—Razakar, Al-Badr, and Al-Shams—abducted him from his home, along with many eminent teachers of the University of Dhaka. Twenty-two days later, their decomposed bodies were discovered at the killing fields of Mirpur, leaving indelible scars on the conscience of the nation.

In recognition of his contribution to the Liberation War, the Government of Bangladesh posthumously honored S. M. A. Rashidul Hasan with the Independence Day Award. Beyond his professional and patriotic commitments, he was deeply fond of Rabindranath Tagore’s songs. Perhaps Tagore’s “Apan Kaje Auchal Hole” inspired and strengthened his moral courage, encouraging him to support the Liberation War and assist freedom fighters from his own position.

On this Martyred Intellectuals’ Day, I—M. M. Shahidul Hassan, husband of Roquaiya Hasina, has created a video of this song, sung by her, and shared it in his memory. This is my humble tribute.