Halder, Govind

Govind Halder

Halder, Govind (1930-2015) Lyricist and poet. He wrote numerous songs that inspired the Freedom Fighters and post-liberation Bengalis during the Liberation War, including ‘Purba Digante Surya Utheche, Rakta Lal, Rakta Lal’. ‘For an ocean of blood’; ‘I fight to save a flower’ etc. He was born on 21 February 1930 at Bangaon in Jessore district (now in West Bengal). He obtained BA and MA in Bengali from Calcutta University. Later, he joined the Income Tax Department and retired from there in July 1988. He was a listed lyricist of Aakashbani radio in India.

While studying, he became proficient in composing Bengali poetry and song. He composed around 3,500 semi-classical, folk songs, bauls, kirtans, syama sangeet and modern Bengali songs. His first poem was ‘Ar Kotodin’ and his first book of poetry was ‘Dur Digantey’. While still in job, he wrote songs about the Liberation War of Bangladesh with the inspiration and encouragement of his friend Kamal Ahmed, who introduced him to Kamal Lohani of Swadhin Bangla Betar Dendra. He handed over a note book of 15 songs based on the Liberation War to Kamal Lohani. Some of these songs include ‘Ek Sagar Rakter Binimaye’, ‘Mora Ekti Phulke Bachaba Bole Juddha Kari’, ‘Purba Digante Surja Uthechhe’, ‘Padma Meghna Jamuna’, ‘Chalo Bir Sainik’, ‘Banglar Mati’, ‘Left Right Left Right’, etc.

At the end of May 1971, Govind Halder joined swadhin bangla betar kendra. Since June, his patriotic songs have been aired on Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra and many songs on All India Radio and Doordarshan. These eternal songs broadcasted from Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra were an endless source of inspiration for the freedom-loving people of Bangladesh.

The song ‘Ek Sagar Rakter Binimaye’ composed by Govind Halda later became the best song to pay tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War. Since 1990s, it has been used as the opening song of Bangladesh Television. The music of this song was composed by a famous Bangladeshi composer and vocalist Apel Mahmud, while original vocals were given by Swapna Roy and her fellow artists. This song was specially broadcast on Swadhin Bangla Betar in the evening of 16 December 1971, just after the surrender of the Pakistani occupation forces.

From 14 April to 3 May 2006, the BBC made a list of 20 best songs of all time, based on the votes of BBC Bengali program listeners. Two of these songs were penned by Govind Halder. These are ‘Ek Sagar Rakter Binimaye’ and ‘Mora Ekti Phulke Bachaba Baley’.

It is a pity that the great lyricist died in the midst of an extreme financial crisis. As he had no place of his own to live in, he took shelter at his in-laws’ home in Nazirganj, Bakultala, Howrah district (West Bengal). In mid-December 2014, he was admitted to a private hospital in Kolkata due to kidney ailments. The Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid visited him at the hospital on 22 December during his visit to West Bengal. Hearing about his illness and financial crisis, the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took all responsibility for his treatment.

In recognition of his great contribution in the Liberation War, Govind Halder was awarded with the ‘Muktijudda Maitri Sammanana’ by the Government of Bangladesh on 20 October 2012.

Govinda Halder passed away on 17 January 2015. His wife’s name is Parul Halder. The couple was blessed with a daughter named Gopa Halder. [Maniruzzaman Shahin]