100 Songs of Hasan Raja

Today most Bangladeshis have heard of Hasan Raja and many can sing or cite at least a line from one of his songs. Even so, there is very little written material available about him in Bengali and nothing in English except for a few isolated quotations. He was a powerful landlord who possessed almost limitless wealth and influence, yet he seemed more at home in a rural environment than among wealthy society. His songs are written in the simple language of rural Sunamganj rather than that of the elite society of which he was a member. He was the author of two books, yet he had almost no formal eduction. He was a Muslim by birth, yet he wrote many songs about Radha Krishna and the goddess Kali. His songs are of great depth and feeling that are still relevant to Bengali speaking people today. We hope that these translations can convey at least something of the urgency and beauty of his songs to the English speaking public.