Hason Raja (literary meaning - Hason the King), also known as Devan Hason Raja or Hason Raja Chowdhury, was a Bengali (now - Bangladesh) poet, mystic and folk songwriter. He gained international recognition years after his death, when Nobel prize laureate, poet Rabindranath Tagore mentioned him in his lectures at Oxford University.
| Devan Hason Raja Chowdhury |
 |
| Born |
1855
Near present day Sunamgonj,Sylhet |
| Died |
1922 |
| Occupation |
Mystic, poet, songwriter |
| Children |
Khan Bahadur Dewan Ganiur Raja
Hasinur Raja
Khan Bahadur Dewan Eklimur Raja Chowdhury
Aftabur Raja |
Life
Early life
Hason Raja was the son of Dewan Ali Raja Chowdhury, who was a direct descendant of the Hindu king Raja Birendra Singhdev (later converted to Islam and became known as Babu Khan). Hason's mother was Ali Raja's second wife, Huramat Jahan Begum. He was born in 1855 near present day Sunamgonj, Sylhet. According to Tagore, Hason passed his childhood on the banks of Surma River, and the dream world of his parents had a strong impact on his whole life. The death of Hason's elder half-brother, Ubeydur Raja, followed by the death of his father Ali Raja (about 40 days later), put the power and responsibility of the whole family upon Hason at a very young age[3]. Tagore states that he abused his power and his masculine charm, until his mother's influence made him change his ways (the original quote, according to the source, reads "his mother inspires him back home from his unholy associations"). This put a beginning to his religious pursuits and the life of an "Ascetic King".
Life as a Zamindar
A school founded by Hason Raja
Despite his financially privileged upbringing, Hason is credited with setting up a number of local schools and religious organisations, and is said to be engaged in charity in his community. Hason Raja had four sons, Khan Bahadur Dewan Ganiur Raja, Hasinur Raja, Khan Bahadur Dewan Eklimur Raja Chowdhury (Kabbo Bisharod) and Aftabur Raja. Dewan Eklimur Raja followed in his footsteps and also wrote poetry and songs; he was also known as the architect of modern poetry of Sylhet area. Dewan Hason Raja donated one third of his property as Waqf in 1918 for the well-being of the people and offsprings of his son Eklimur Raja.
Death
Hason Raja died in 1922, years before his contribution to the poetry of Bengal was mentioned in lectures at Oxford University by Nobel poet laureate Rabindranath Tagore. Hason Raja is also known as Dewan Hasan Raja. A beautiful museum namely, Museum of Rajas' has been established in his anchestral home at Raja - Kunjo, Sylhet, Bangladesh; where historical exhibits of Hason Raja, Eklimur Raja, Talibur Raja, (grandson) and other respected Rajas' are displayed. The sponsor of this spectacular Museum is 'Educationist Dewan Talibur Raja Trust'.
In art
Hason's poetry reflects his spiritual pursuits and the ever-changing nature of the world. In his Loke Bole Bole Re (Oh, They Say) he says:
People say, they say, my house is no good.
What house will I build,
There's nothing here
I’ll build a house,
But how long will I stay for?
I look in the mirror,
I see grey hair that I have.
Thinking of this,
Hason Raja hasn’t built a house.
Where will Allah take and keep him,
For that reason he cries.
If Hason Raja knew, how long he would live for,
then he would have built his house and rooms in many colours.
People say, they say my house is no good.
What house will I build,
There's nothing here.
