Into the untold land
Hosted and directed by eminent media personality Shaikh Siraj, farmers’ game show “Krishoker Eid Ananda” will be aired on the third day of Eid-ul-Fitr at 4:30pm on Channel i. This year the shooting for the show was held at Khanurbari village of Gobindasi union under Bhuapur upazila of Tangail district. A day before Eid-ul-Fitr, viewers will get a behind the scenes glimpse of “Krishoker EidAnondo” at 11:30 PM onChannel i.
Despite heavy showers at the location, a few thousand Jamuna erosion- affected ragged people from Nikrail village, Gobindasi and Gabsara union enjoyed the shooting where farmers and their wives took part in a number of games like jumping from platform to water, walking on the bamboo, reverse race, pillow fight, climbing on oily banana tree, adorning brides, breaking clay pitchers and water polo.
As in previous years, the programme will also feature the sufferings and the multifaceted problems of the people relating to education, health, early marriage, uncontrolled population and plight of the fishermen who entirely rely on rivers for their livelihood.
A look behind the scenes:
“I have netted a small puti fish for lunch today”, says Meher Ali, a hand-to-mouth farmer who lives on the banks of Jamuna river in Khanurbari village of Bhuapur. He has reason to be grateful for the meagre catch as his lands have been swallowed up by the riverbed of Jamuna due to river erosion. Ali watches a bit of the show but can’t afford being a spectator as he is in a rush to return home with the single puti fish which will have to serve as lunch for his family. All this is happening against the backdrop of “Krishoker Eid Anondo”, a very popular farmers’ game show, being filmed on the charland of Khanurbari, Tangail– a land which was exposed for the first time on TV. A land of shattering and untold hopes, deprivation, a place depicting a grim picture of poverty.
“Hridoye Mati O Manush” is the only hope of entertainment for poor farmers like Ali during Eid. TV programmes of Bangladesh during Eid don’t carry content for the large 120million-strong agricultural and marginal community, though they are the backbone of the Bangladeshi economy and socio-cultural legacy.
However, since 2007, frontiersman for farmers, agriculture development activist and media personality Shykh Seraj through his “Hridoye Mati O Manush” initiative, has brought alive the rural heritage, traditions and principally the rural sports on the first row of entertainment programmes among the many ‘so-called’ urban shows during Eid festivity. Now “Krishoker Eid Anondo”, has reached out to farmers and viewers from all sections of society. The programme has charged farmers with the confidence that they are not alien but a valuable part of the entertainment scenario in Bangladesh.
“Krishoker Eid Anondo” is not just a game show, it’s a narrative of a unique community which we exemplify,” says Seraj on the objective of his programme.
Bhuapur upazila in an area of225.2 sq km was established in 1974. The upazila carries tales of heroic deeds of the freedom fighters who during the Liberation War blocked and captured a Pakistani ship bearing a huge cache of arms and ammunition. Throughout this year’s event of “Krishoker Eid Anondo”, each game was blended with songs by a local artiste and freedom fighter named Dilip Kumar Dey. He has been singing in bazaars and different localities for 40 years. “I’m a rural singer and have performed at many rural fairs in my life, but this is the biggest festivity, I’ve ever been to,” said Dilip who felt his presence on the show was considered worthwhile and valued.
The sun was on its way to the western horizon of Jamuna river. “Krishoker Eid Anondo” gave a platform to rural heritage, and above all it brought genuine pleasure to the local farmers and audience. In the next few days or months or even a year, it’s hard to tell whether the land where “Krishoker Eid Anondo” was held, will remain as it is or go into the riverbed of Jamuna or will turn in to an even bigger char land.
But, isn’t it worthwhile to bring hope, aspiration and optimism to the marginal farmers of this char land, living far from the madding crowd?
-With The Daily Star input
