Global Health Culture

Kachi-Kanchar Mela charts a glorious course

Mohammad Amjad Hossain

Amidst political turmoil, corruption, killings and unhealthy socio-economic trend Kachi-Kanchar Mela, a children's organization of Bangladesh has stepped into 60 years of its existence on October 5 this year. It began its journey on October 5, 1956 from the Tarabagh residence of illustrious poet Sufia Kamal to fulfil the dream of its founder Rukanuzzaman Khan, who was popularly known by his pseudonym  Dadabhai. Rukanuzzaman Khan, a renowned rhyme writer, was feature editor and director of children page of Kachi-Kanchar Asar of the Daily Ittefaq.

It is really amazing to note that this children organisation had begun its journey when the erstwhile East Pakistan was dominated economically and politically by Punjabi military-political elite of Pakistan. From the children page Rukanuzzaman Khan chose to organise a children's organisation with a view to imbibing in them a sense of dedication to society and patriotism. That Rukanuzzaman khan was successful in his mission had amply been demonstrated during the war of liberation of Bangladesh in 1971 when a large number of boys and girls from Kachi-Kanchar Mela participated directly in the war of liberation. Many lost their lives for the cause of the country they loved. My friend Shahadat Choudhury, who joined the central Kachi-Kanchar Mela in 60's and became an artist and writer, took up arms during the war in 1971 to liberate the country. Shahadat built up a guerrilla force and initiated adventurous actions in Dacca on several occasions, including bomb blast in Hotel Intercontinental, now Hotel Sheraton, to scare the Pakistan's marauding army and draw attention of the world to the success of Mukti Bahini. Shahadat also succeeded to assist two daunting daughters of poet Sufia Kamal to cross the border. Both the daughters of Sufia Kamal also served in war field. Both of them were members of Kachi-Kanchar Mela. Of them Sultana Kamal (Lulu) was convenor of the central Kachi-Kanchar Mela in 60's along with Abul Bark Alvi, joint-convenor. Abul Bark Alvi, professor at the Arts College in Dhaka also participated in the war. Shahadat Choudhury served as Editor of the Weekly Bichitra. When Bichitra was sold, Shahadat joined the new journal of Media World group Shaptahik 2000. He edited Lorai which carried the news of success stories of the Mukti Bahini from war fields. He also contributed to train up budding child artists. Another member of the Kachi-Kanchar Mela M. Golam Mustafa, M Phil, PhD took part in the liberation war and became general manager of the department of Public Relations and Publications of the Bangladesh Bank. I invited Shahadat to address children and their parents of Kachi-Kanchar Mela on March 26, 2002. Shahadat spoke about the war but not about himself. He was a symbol of secular character in society. He was lively and undaunting and in the habit of making fun with me whenever he was in good mood.

Constitutionally, Kachi-Kanchar mela is designed to promote social and cultural activities of children. The salient points of the constitution of the Mela are: to encourage children to know culture, literature, science and art to build their character. Neither has this children's organisation been affiliated with any political party nor does it follow any political jargon.

From the beginning renowned artists Hashem Khan, Pranesh Mondol, Shahadat Chowdhury taught paining in Kachi-Kanchar Mela classes held at the backyard of the house of Rokeya Anwar at Rankin Street of Wari. Kamal also joined as a teacher of painting when the Kach-Kanchar Mela's office moved to Segun Bagicha permanently.

Since 1964 children of the Kachi-Kanchar Mela are participating in painting exhibitions at home and abroad. Children of this organisation have bagged a large number of international awards, including gold, silver and certificate in painting competitions and exhibitions held in New Delhi, Tokyo, Seoul, London and Ankara. To mention a few budding artistes of Kachi-Kanchar Mela Sheikh Ahsanullah Mojumdar received two gold medals in painting competitions held in New Delhi in 1978.  Ahsanullah is now teaching at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology as Associate Professor in the Department of Architecture. A number of articles of his on architecture appeared in international magazines. Ahsanullah developed innovative and eco-friendly architectural design for housing complex. A few others, Munir, Iqbal and Moyna of the Kachi-Kanchar Mela received gold medal in Shankar International painting competition. It may be noted that a famous cartoonist of Mumbai had introduced this competition which is held every year.

This is the only children organisation in Bangladesh which has been publishing a quarterly journal, the Kachi-Kancha to cover activities of different branches of the organisation. To celebrate its 60th anniversary, its director Khandokar Ibrahim Khaled, former deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank, who has been associated from its birth, is publishing a booklet on Kachi-Kanchar Mela.

Mohammad Amjad Hossain, retired diplomat from Bangladesh, former joint director and permanent member of the Central Kachi-kanchar Mela, writes from Virginia