ভাবসাধকদের চর্যাপদের গানের পুনর্জাগরণের ৫০০তম আসরপূর্তি উপলক্ষ্যে চর্যাপদ পুনর্জাগরণ উৎসব ২০২৪ On the occasion of the 500th session anniversary of revival of songs of the Charyapada by Spiritual Seekers Charyapada Revival Festival 2024

Abstract

The Charyapada, a spiritual and literary heritage of Bengali culture, originated in 6th-12th century in Bengal. Key poets like Kahnapa and Birupa contributed to its development at the Somapura Mahavihara. Over time, Charyapada evolved into a cultural tradition, spreading across South Asia, though it gradually faded from folk culture and became limited to academic study.

In 2014, the Vabnagar Foundation organized the traditional Baul-Fakirs of the country to adapt Charyapada songs aiming at revival of the Charyapada through the Bhabanagara Sadhusongo in Dhaka, reintroducing its musical, spiritual, and performative elements. This initiative has led to widespread recognition, with performances in Bangladesh and abroad and training programs for students.

The Charyapada Revival Festival 2024 marked the 500th Sessions of the Bhabanagara Sadhusongo holding every Wednesday of the week. Celebrated from May 8 to 10, 2024, the three-day event featured musical performances, workshops, and academic seminars. It celebrated the Charyapada's history and its relevance today, with scholars and the practitioners offering insights into its cultural significance.

The festival reinforced the Charyapada's enduring importance, encouraging a deeper connection to Bengali identity and mysticism. It showcased the power of the Charyapada to inspire artistic and spiritual exploration locally and globally.

On May 1, 2024, Professor Masahiko Togawa from the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies attended the 500th session of Bhabanagara Sadhusongo, organized by Vabnagar Foundation. He remarked, "I am very happy to be present on this stage for the special 500th session of Bhabanagara Sadhusongo. I, too, am a seeker of spiritual understanding, still standing on this path with much further to go. Whenever I have time, I come to Bangladesh from Japan. When I am in Dhaka, come to this stage, as listening to your songs brings me joy and fulfillment."

In contrast, at the opening ceremony of the Charyapada Revival Festival 2024, Professor Rebecca J. Manring, Vice President of the American Institute of Bangladesh Studies, shared her thoughts as the chief guest, saying, "Attending this event, I had the opportunity to hear Charyapada songs for the first time. Listening to your Charya songs has brought me immense joy. I truly appreciated it and could feel the essence of Charyapada. I extend my gratitude to the Baul-Fakir singers of Charyapada in Bangladesh."