Guwahati: As Assam observes Rabha Divas, a day of remembrance for the revolutionary artist and thinker Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha, editorial and political cartoonist Nituparna Rajbongshi has released a series of searing, satirical cartoons. These visuals not only honour Rabha’s legacy but also reclaim it from appropriation, tokenism, and amnesia.
In one striking cartoon, a man with the label “Rabha Divas Udjapan Committee” on his shirt serves food while proclaiming, “There are two sacrificial goats in this state — one black, one white. If you want the best for the people, sacrifice both.” The next line stings with bureaucratic cynicism, “In Rabha’s name, we’ve sacrificed the two goats from the collection fund. Here, have your share of mutton curry — for the people’s welfare.” This reinterpretation of Rabha’s famous “two goats” poem is a genius critique of politics and power.
Another cartoon shows a tree mid-chop, bleeding like a martyr, its final words echoing across the panel, “This is my last song… My life’s final act on stage… For your glorious development.” These visuals are direct attacks on deforestation and the state’s blind pursuit of development, highlighting the hypocrisy of invoking Rabha’s name while decimating the very nature he revered.
Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha was a multi-hyphenate genius — actor, composer, poet, dramatist, dancer, filmmaker — and above all, a revolutionary Marxist who sided with the oppressed. He stood with farmers, labourers, and tribal communities, disillusioned by the Congress’s indifference post-independence. His art and legacy continue to inspire, but his politics and message are often forgotten.
Rabha Divas is often reduced to photo-ops and floral tributes, ignoring the fire that once lit his soul. Rajbongshi’s cartoons are a timely reminder of Rabha’s true legacy and the need to reclaim his ideals and message. As the state celebrates Rabha’s life and work, it is essential to remember his commitment to the people and the environment, and to hold those in power accountable for their actions.
Read More: Elderly Woman Killed in Crossfire Between Security Forces and Armed Men in Manipur