1.2 Name of the element, as used by the community or group concerned
Life history of Radharaman Dutta Purkayastho
1.3 Short, maximally informative title (including indication of domain(s))
Safeguarding the history of Radharaman Dutta Purkayastho, who was a literary lover, his knowledge of scripture was very good. He was also an author of Sylhty Dhamail songs, Baishnava Padaboli, Kirtans. Sections of Vaishnava terms, starting from provati, rash, separation, convergence, feature format. The songs of separation are more.
1.4 Community(ies)/group(s) that recognize the element as part of their cultural heritage
Shahajia Baishnaba Religion
1.5 Physical location(s) of the element/how often it is practiced
He was born in Atuajan Parganam village of Keshobpur, Upazilla - Jagannathpur. Sunamganj district, Sylhet.
1.6 Short description (max. 200words)
Radharaman Dutta Purkatstho was born in 1834 (1241 BS) in Keshabpur village of Atuajan Pargana as the youngest son of poet Radhamadhav and Subarnadev. He began to acquire Scriptural knowledge from his father. Like his father, he was a keen literary man. he could not acquire biblical knowledge compared to his father. At a young age, he tried to acquire knowledge about Shakto, Shaiva, Vaishnavism etc. But he lost his father when he was only ten years old. Radharman's education continues due to the efforts of his mother Subarnadevi. In 1265 BS, Radharaman married Gunmoyi Devi, daughter of Nandakumar Sen Adhikari, a descendant of Sen Shivananda, the Parishad of Mahaprabhu Sri Chaitanya of Adipasha village in Moulvibazar. They have four sons Rasbihari, Bipinbihari, Nadiabihari and Rasikbihari Dutta. Despite being an aristocratic man of high caste, these riches never attracted Radharaman. He was a simple man of simple soil. Shortly after, his three sons passed away one by one. And also his wife Gunomoyee Devi passed away due to the grief of her sons. After receiving initiation from Guru Raghunath Goswami at the age of 50, he established an ashram in a secluded place near Naluwar Haor and immersed himself in pursuit there. He realizes that Lord Krishna is the only man and all nature. Gradually the fame of Radharaman's pursuit spread in all directions. Listening to his words, Dhamail's songs merged with the secluded rituals of the remote areas. Finally, Radharaman Dutta passed away on 26th Kartik (1915 AD) of 1322 BS. After his death, he was entombed according to his last wish. He was entombed by Bipinbihari Dutta, Horomony Malakar and others. To this day, one of Malakar’s brides attends that tomb. That task was not very easy either. His devotees entombed him after a fierce battle with the upper classes of the society.
1.7 Domain of the element (select one or more/suggest alternative domain)
2. Characteristics of the element
2.1 Practitioners(s)/performer(s): roles, age, gender, social status, and/or professional category etc)
Ekushey Medal-winning Proverbial artist Sushma Das. As the artist of Radharaman's Dhamail songs in Sylhet. she is a bright star as a song artist. Her new audio album release is Radharman's song Bhandari's audio album 'Amar Bondhu Binodiya'.
Radharaman's granddaughter Shukla Chowdhury's son Animesh Bijoy Chowdhury is the Organizational Secretary of Radharaman Srity Tarpan. He is trying to collect songs of actual melodies and lyrics of Radharaman’s. He works at Bangladesh Shishu Academy, Sylhet. Studied from Rabindra Bharati University.
Professor Jatindra Mohan Bhattacharya first took the initiative to collect songs by Radharman Dutta. A book with 696 songs by Baul poet Radharaman has been published from Calcutta. A book compiled by Chowdhury Golam Akbar Sahitya Bhushan titled 'Radharaman Sangeet' from Sahitya Parishad of Modan Mohan College, Sylhet has been published in 1971.
2.2 Other tradition bearers (individuals/groups and their roles)
Usually, in auspicious ceremonies like Jhulan Jatra, Rash Jatra, Holi, Annaprashan are performed by Dhamail songs but in the Hindu community in the wedding ceremony. Especially on the night before the wedding/night of the domicile, Dhamail songs are more popular. The sound of 'Bhaibe Radharman Bole' is inextricably linked with Dhamail's song, which carries the uniqueness of Radharman's song. Since Radharman did not leave any written collection of songs, it is a lot of hard work and hard work to collect his songs and bring them in the form of books. ven then, many researchers and collectors went to the villages of Jagannathpur and collected innumerable songs and brought them in print.
Animesh Bijoy Chowdhury is the Organizational Secretary of Radharaman Srity Tarpan. He is trying to collect songs of actual melodies and lyrics of Radharaman’s. He works at Bangladesh Shishu Academy, Sylhet. Studied from Rabindra Bharati University.
He uses every musical instrument like Srikhol, Dhol, Korla these things main used by him.
2.5 Associated intangible elements (if any)
Radharaman practice singing in his own house, which was the main center of his house.
2.6 How are women and people of other genders associated with this ICH element
Dhamail songs and dances are now popular nationally and internationally beyond regionalism. Just as there is a variety of subject matter in Dhamail songs, there is also melody, rhythm and sweetness of description. However, Dhamail has its own style of singing. This style has been taken from the regional lifestyle of Srihatta and its surrounding areas. Women artists usually perform this song in a circular motion with applause. They have songs in their mouths and feet in rhythm. The hand also has rhythm and speed. The first thing to do is to worship and praise the Creator. It is sung only to the tune without rhythm.
2.7 Division of labour during the practice of aforementioned ICH element
We still practice Radharaman's songs. They have slowly passed away from the disciples of Radharaman a hundred years ago.
2.8 Customary practices governing access to the element or to aspects of it
n/a
2.9 Modes of transmission
n/a
2.10 Organizations concerned (non-governmental organizations and others)
n/a
3. State of the element (viability)
3.1 Threats to the enactment (if any)
Radharman's songs or literature have not been properly evaluated so far.
3.2 Threats to the transmission (if any)
3.3 Threat to associated tangible elements and resources (if any)
Nowadays we used modern instruments.
3.4 Viability of associated intangible elements (if any)
Traditional musical instruments in today's time are under threat due to playing keyboards, drums, saxophones, etc
3.5 Safeguarding measures in place (if any)
n/a
4. Data gathering/documentation, Consent and preparation of inventory entries
4.1 Consent of community/group/individuals concerned for data collection with a view to inventorying
I met Animesh Bijoy Chowdhury and talked to him about all the details and got information and he gave me all the information as soon as he was interested, then he also asked me to update him if the work was done in a nice way.
I have talked with Md Abdul Quayyim Mukul and Debojyoti das on the phone and collect information through social sites
4.2 Restrictions, if any, on use of data collected
Because of Covid-19 and bad weather, I have to face some problems in collecting information.
5. Resource Person
5.1 Persons/groups, including community representatives
Radharaman's granddaughter's son Animesh Bijoy Chowdhury.
Md Abdul Quayyim Mukul, Planning & Implementation of "BHAIBE RADHARAMAN", Convener (Little Theatre, Sylhet)
Debojyoti Das
Ananya Das Gupta, i.ananya46@gmail.com
5.2 Date(s) and place(s) of data gathering
Date : 2020-07-12 Place(s) : Sylhet and Dhaka
6. Safeguarding techniques
6.1 Existing safeguarding techniques in the community for the safeguarding of the ICH element
n/a
6.2 Suggestions for safeguarding of the ICH element from the community
n/a
7. References to literature, discography, audiovisual materials or archives
7.1 References to/in literature
n/a
7.2 Audiovisual materials or archives
n/a
7.3 Discography or archives
n/a
8. Modalities for updating the information contained in the inventory entry
8.1 Persons/groups, including community representatives, who compiled the inventory entry
n/a
8.2 Consent of community/group/individuals concerned for data collection with a view to inventorying
Animesh Bijoy Chowdhury 01717258533
Md Abdul Quayyim Mukul 01716618320
8.3 Date of community consent to include the entry on an inventory
2020-07-21
8.4 Present condition of the cultural element
Still maintaining
9. Community suggestions
(a)Brief description of suggestions for safeguarding of the element by community members/experts/holders, if any
n/a
(b)Brief description of restrictions on use of data collected, if any