An Indian tabla player and a photographer faced a harrowing 48-hour ordeal in Dhaka, Bangladesh, after a scheduled concert was abruptly cancelled, leaving them feeling vulnerable and trapped amid a tense atmosphere.
A Promising Trip Turns Into a Nightmare
Tabla artist Mainak Biswas and photographer Kallab Ghosh had travelled to Bangladesh to accompany renowned sarod player Shiraz Ali Khan for his performance at the prestigious Chhayanaut in Dhaka on December 19. However, the event was called off, plunging the Indian contingent into a precarious situation. Biswas, who had visited Bangladesh at least five times before and always experienced warmth, found this visit transforming into his worst nightmare.
"I could never have imagined how difficult life could become as a Hindu trapped in Bangladesh when anti-Indian rhetoric was at its peak," Biswas stated after finally returning to Kolkata on December 22. He described the tension as suffocating, with every moment spent in fear of what might go wrong next.
Silence and Survival in a Hostile Climate
The situation grew increasingly challenging after Shiraz Ali Khan's departure. Biswas pointed out that the sarod maestro had the advantage of a reputable stature and a Khan surname. In stark contrast, Biswas felt exposed. "It is easy to identify me as an Indian. Hence, the fear of being targeted was ever-present," he explained.
Unable to speak the local dialect, Biswas adopted a strategy of silence for safety. "They say those who can't speak have no enemies. I decided to remain silent and pretend I couldn't speak," he recounted. His anxiety peaked when he learned about an attack on another individual, Dipu Das. "My mind went blank... I couldn't fathom what might await me if a mob attacked me," he said.
Compounding the pressure was the added responsibility of ensuring the safety of Shiraz Ali Khan's mother, who was travelling with them. Biswas did not even inform his own family in Kolkata about the danger, not wanting to worry his mother and grandmother.
A Return Home Shadowed by Trauma
The 48 hours of intense anxiety have left a deep impact on Mainak Biswas. He described the ordeal as a constant reminder of his vulnerability as an Indian in a neighbouring country during periods of diplomatic strain. "I still feel a shiver down my spine when I recall those helpless hours," he admitted.
His experience underscores the unpredictable challenges artists and cultural ambassadors can face when geopolitical tensions spill over, turning a mission of cultural exchange into a personal trial of survival and fear.
