For Kolkata-based tabla maestro Mainak Biswas and photographer Kallab Ghosh, what was meant to be a cultural trip to Dhaka swiftly descended into a 48-hour nightmare of fear and uncertainty. The artists, who had accompanied renowned sarodia Shiraz Ali Khan for his performance at the prestigious Chhayanaut institution, found themselves stranded and vulnerable after the event was abruptly cancelled on December 19.
A Dream Visit Turns Into a "Horror Film"
Biswas, who had visited Bangladesh at least five times before and always experienced warmth, described this visit as his "worst nightmare." The atmosphere in Dhaka had shifted, with anti-Indian sentiment reportedly at a peak. "I could never have imagined how difficult life could become as a Hindu trapped in Bangladesh," Biswas told TOI after his safe return to Kolkata on December 22.
He likened the experience to being the protagonist in a horror film. The constant scrutiny from onlookers instilled a deep, pervasive fear for his personal safety. "It is easy to identify me as an Indian. Hence, the fear of being targeted was ever-present," he recounted. The tension was so palpable it felt suffocating, with every moment spent anticipating what could go wrong next.
Silence, Strategy, and the Struggle for Safety
The situation grew markedly more challenging after Shiraz Ali Khan, who carries the advantage of a renowned reputation and a Khan surname, departed Dhaka on December 19. Biswas and Ghosh remained behind. "Unlike him, I couldn't even speak the local dialect," Biswas explained. Adopting an old adage—'those who can't speak have no enemies'—he decided to remain silent and pretend he was unable to speak.
His responsibilities were compounded by the presence of Shiraz's mother, adding the weight of ensuring her safety to his own survival instincts. Further stress came from concern for his prized instrument. Having seen traumatic images of vandalized instruments at Chhayanaut, the fear of his tabla suffering a similar fate was overwhelming.
The anxiety peaked when he learned of the attack on another individual, Dipu Das. "My mind went blank... I couldn't fathom what might await me if a mob attacked me," Biswas said, admitting he switched off his phone to avoid causing panic to his family in Kolkata.
A Bittersweet Return and a Resolute Decision
The relief of finally boarding their scheduled flight back to Kolkata on December 22 was profoundly overshadowed by the trauma of the ordeal. "The relief of boarding the flight was overshadowed by the anxiety of what we had just experienced. It left an indelible mark, a constant reminder of the vulnerability," Biswas reflected.
Back in India, the experience has led to a firm personal resolution. On Tuesday, while attending a sound check for a Shiraz concert in Midnapore, Biswas made his stance clear: "I will not return to Bangladesh unless the situation improves." The 48 hours of intense fear have irrevocably changed his perspective, transforming a once-welcoming cultural destination into a place of haunting memories.
