“Ha-Ja-Ba-Ra-La” by Sukumar Roy is a classic Bengali children’s book that is beloved by many readers, both young and old. It’s a fun and entertaining read. It is filled with whimsical characters, wordplay, and humor that will make one laugh and keep one entertained.
While “Ha-Ja-Ba-Ra-La” by Sukumar Roy is primarily a children’s book, it also has political and social relevance and importance. There are several themes and messages in the book that can be interpreted as reflecting Sukumar Roy’s political views.
One theme that emerges in the book is the idea of questioning authority and challenging the status quo. The book’s whimsical characters and their adventures encourage readers to think creatively and imaginatively, and to question the rules and expectations imposed by those in power. This message of questioning authority can be seen as reflecting a belief in the importance of individual freedom and expression.
Another theme in the book is the idea of inclusivity and diversity. The book features a range of characters from different backgrounds and with different personalities, and encourages readers to accept and appreciate their differences. “Ha Ja Ba Ra La” is a nonsensical verse that uses made-up words and phrases to create a playful rhythm. It was originally published in 1923 in the magazine “Kishore Bharati.”
At the time when Sukumar Roy wrote “Ha Ja Ba Ra La,” India was under British colonial rule, and there was growing political unrest among the Indian people who sought independence from British imperialism. Many intellectuals and artists, including Sukumar Roy, were involved in the Indian independence movement and sought to use their art as a means of expressing their political views.
From a Communist viewpoint, “Ha Ja Ba Ra La” can be seen as a form of social critique that challenges the dominant cultural norms and values of capitalist society. The use of made-up words and phrases can be interpreted as a metaphor for the alienation and fragmentation that individuals experience in a capitalist system, where people are reduced to mere consumers and commodities.
Moreover, the playful and nonsensical nature of the poem can be seen as a subversion of the dominant ideology of the ruling class, which seeks to maintain its power and privilege by controlling the means of production and manipulating cultural discourse. By using a language that is deliberately meaningless, Sukumar Roy was able to challenge the dominant discourse and promote a new, more egalitarian vision of society.
The book’s use of language and wordplay can also be seen as reflecting Sukumar Roy’s social viewpoint. The book employs a variety of linguistic styles and registers, ranging from the colloquial to the poetic, and plays with the sounds and meanings of words in creative and inventive ways. This use of language can be interpreted as reflecting Sukumar Roy’s belief in the importance of language and communication as a means of creating social change and promoting social harmony.
Overall, while Sukumar Roy’s social viewpoint is not explicitly stated in “Ha-Ja-Ba-Ra-La,” the book contains several themes and messages that reflect his broader social beliefs. The book encourages readers to embrace their imaginations and to appreciate the diversity of human experience, and it offers a subtle critique of certain aspects of society and culture. These themes and messages are still relevant today and continue to inspire readers of all ages to imagine a more inclusive and harmonious world.
“Ha-Ja-Ba-Ra-La” is a timeless classic that continues to be relevant and loved by readers of all ages. It is an important part of Bengali literature and culture and can be appreciated for its literary, educational, and social value. Sukumar Roy’s “Ha Ja Ba Ra La” can be read from various political perspectives, including communism. While it may seem like a nonsensical verse at first glance, it has deeper political implications that reflect the social and historical context in which it was written.