Liberation War songs were state-of-the-art weaponry

During the Liberation War, Bangladesh did not always have state-of-the-art weaponry, but it had powerful songs of freedom and patriotism, a secret weapon that the Pakistani army could not foresee. People from all walks of life tuned into the Shadhin Bangla radio to listen to these songs while singers and musicians toured around the country to sing these songs to encourage freedom fighters. Among the most popular songs of the time are: Mora Ekti Phulke Bachabo Bole Juddho Kori; Teer Hara Ei Dheuer Shagor; Shono, Ekti Mujiborer Theke; Purbo Digante Shurjo Utheche; Nongor Tolo Tolo; Bhebo Nago Ma Tomar Chelera; Rokto Diye Naam Likhechi; Banglar Hindu; Banglar Boddho; Banglar Christian, and Banglar Musolman. “Joy Bangla, Banglar Joy” is one of the most popular songs of the Liberation War. Written by Gazi Mazharul Anwar and composed by Anwar Parvez, the song became the staple of the Shadhin Bangla radio during the war. Renowned singer Mohammad Abdul Jabbar is one of the most notable artistes who rendered their voices to this song. Songs of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam and Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore are also among the popular songs of the war. Tagore wrote and composed a number of songs, including Aji Bangladesher Hridoy Hote and O Amar Desher Mati, which were later used to motivate freedom fighters. Nazrul’s songs, such as Karar Oi Louho Kopat, Chol Chol Chol, and O Amar Desher Mati, were particularly famous for inspiring the freedom fighters with inciting nature of their lyrics. While some songs, including Dwijendralal Ray’s Dhono Dhanne Pushpe Bhora, were written decades before the war, man other songs that symbolize the war were written during or right after the war. “Ek Shagor Rokter Binimoye” was written on December 20, 1971 by Govinda Halder, who also wrote Mora Ekti Phul ke Bachabo Bole Juddho Kori and Purbo Digante Shurjo Utheche. Apel Mahmud composed two of these three songs while Samar Das composed Purbo Digante Shurjo Utheche. These songs still remind the people of sacrifices of the freedom fighters.