Exploring the Contribution of Music to the Bangladesh Liberation War: An Investigation into the Documentary Film the Songs of Freedom (Muktir Gaan)

Abstract

In the analysis of the emergence of Bangladesh nation-state, particularly in the discussion of the country’s liberation war in 1971, the multi-facet role of cultural revolution has not received sufficient attention; the contribution of music in the liberation war is still largely unexamined. This article highlights the crucial role that music played as a political and cultural weapon in the Bangladesh’s liberation war in the light of the documentary film the Songs of Freedom or MuktirGaan. Analyzing the songs of this film from a communication and media perspective this investigation concludes that music played the role of a great catalyst in the consolidation of solidarity among the freedom fighters, creation of ethnocentrism and extreme nationalism, and serious instigation to the armed struggle. This article will contribute to understanding the multidimensional nature of Bangladesh liberation war.