In a shocking incident that underscores the vulnerability of cultural spaces, renowned Kolkata-based sarod player Shiraz Ali Khan was compelled to flee Bangladesh after the venue for his concert was violently attacked. The artist, who carries a prestigious musical legacy with roots across the border, had to suppress his Indian identity during his escape, leaving him deeply traumatised.
A Concert Cancelled by Violence
Shiraz Ali Khan had a significant classical music recital scheduled at the esteemed cultural institution Chhayanaut in Dhaka on December 19. However, hours before the programme was to begin, the venue was vandalised. This attack was part of a nationwide spiral of unrest triggered by the death of a radical leader, Sharif Osman Hadi, who played a key role in last year's anti-Hasina protests.
The musician, who had arrived in Dhaka on December 16 and had already performed at a heartfelt jazz concert in Banani on December 17, was devastated. "I couldn't believe the building where I was to perform was destroyed. Seeing the disturbing images was beyond belief, especially as someone who holds music and its sacredness in the highest regard," Shiraz told TOI.
The Harrowing Escape and Concealed Identity
Fearing for his safety, Shiraz managed to leave Dhaka and return to Kolkata on Saturday evening. His journey out was fraught with anxiety. At a checkpoint, he was questioned about possessing foreign currency. For the first time, the artist consciously hid his Indian identity, aware of rising anti-India sentiments.
"I spoke in the Brahmanbaria dialect. My mother, from Brahmanbaria, settled in India after her marriage in 1968. I learned the dialect from her," he revealed. His Khan surname further helped people assume he was from Bangladesh. In a risky move, he handed his Indian passport and phone to his driver, who hid them in the car's dashboard, retrieving them only at the airport.
"I never thought I'd have to hide my Indian identity. I don't know what would have happened if I hadn't concealed it," Shiraz stated, highlighting the perilous situation.
Legacy Under Attack and Lasting Impact
Shiraz Ali Khan comes from an illustrious musical lineage. He is the son of Ustad Dhyanesh Khan, grandson of the legendary Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, and great-grandson of Baba Allauddin Khan, who hailed from Brahmanbaria in present-day Bangladesh. This connection makes the attack on Chhayanaut particularly painful.
"Some years ago, a college in Ustad Allauddin Khan's name in Brahmanbaria was attacked. But the attack on Chhayanaut is an unimaginable assault on our culture and shared values," Shiraz lamented.
The aftermath of the incident leaves a trail of worry and uncertainty. Shiraz's tabla player and other Hindu accompanists remain stranded in Dhaka, hoping to return. Out of concern for their safety, Shiraz has chosen not to reveal their names. His own mother is still in Bangladesh.
Profoundly affected by the experience, Shiraz Ali Khan has declared that he "won't return to Bangladesh until artists, music, and cultural institutions are respected and protected." His statement is a powerful indictment of the climate of fear that now shadows cultural exchange and artistic expression in the region.
