Dwijendralal Ray () (1863 - 1913) was a Bengali poet, playwright, and musician, known primarily for his Indian and Bengali patriotic plays and songs, as well as his Hindu devotional lyrics. His songs, which number over 500, like those of Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam are considered a genre of their own, and are referred to as Dwijendrageeti (Songs of Dwijendralal). Two of his most famous compositions are Dhana Dhanya Pushpa Bhara and Banga Amar Janani Amar. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in early modern Bengali literature. He is also known commonly as D L Roy.

Early life and education

Dwijendralal was born in Krishnanagar, Nadia district, in modern day West Bengal, India. He was admitted to Krishnanagar College in 1878.

He completed his undergraduate education at Hooghly College in 1883, followed by a Masters degree in English Literature from Presidency College, Kolkata in 1884. He subsequently went to London as was common among the Bengali elite of that era, and became a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Society from the Royal Agricultural College. He joined the government on his return to India and was posted to the Central Provinces (modern day Madhya Pradesh). It was during these travels in England and central India that Dwijendralal became heavily influenced by both western music and classical Hindusthani traditions.

He returned to Bengal when appointed a deputy magistrate in Dinajpur.

Political activism

Though from a landed Bengali aristocratic family, Dwijendralal was known for his pro-peasant sentiments. In 1890, while working for the government, he clashed with the Bengal Governor on the issue of peasant land rights and tithing obligations.

Following the 1905 Partition of Bengal, Dwijendralal joined the cultural movement to reunite the two new Bengali provinces. It was during the time he wrote several patriotic songs that are still immensely popular today.

He was known also for his commitment to the upliftment of women, and his strong stance against Hindu religious orthodoxy and ritual. His collection Hanshir Gaan was a cleverly crafted satire against upper-caste Hindu dominance of religious practices.

Family life

His wife died in 1903. His son was the famous Indian Bengali musician and philosopher Dilipkumar Roy

Major works

• Aryagatha (1882, 1894)

• Bibhrat O Kalki Abatar (1895)

• Ekghare (1889)

• Tryahasparsha (1900)

• Hanshir Gaan (1900)

• Pashani (1900)

• Mandra (1902)

• Prayaschitta (1902)

• Rana Pratap Singh (1905)

• Alekhya (1907)

• Sita (1908)

• Mebar Patan (1908)

• Nurjahan (1908)

• Shahjahan (1909)

• Punarjanma (1911)

• Chandragupta (1911)

• Tribeni (1912)

• Parapare (1912)

• Bhishma (1914)

• Banganari (1916)

Famous songs

• Aji Gao Maha Geet

• Amar Bharat (patriotic)

• Banga Amar Janani Amar (patriotic)

• Dhana Dhanya Pushpa Bhara (patriotic)

• Esho Pran Shakha

• Je Din Sunil Jaladhi Haite (patriotic)

• Patitadwarini Gangey (patriotic)

• Aamra Emni eshey bheshey jai

Legacy

His Bengali nationalist anthem Dhana Dhanya Pushpa Bhara is immensely popular in both Bangladesh and India, and was reportedly considered a possible choice to become the national anthem of Bangladesh in 1971. Under the direction of Ruma Guha Thakurta, Calcutta Youth Choir performs his songs regularly in their concerts and they even have a few number of records with his songs. Many of his Bengali patriotic songs were regularly played on the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, the clandestine radio station broadcast to freedom fighters and occupied population during the Bangladesh Liberation War.