Another aspect of the Mela is the exercise in communal harmony amongst different religious sects. A glaring example of it is the composition of the Mela Committee. It is composed of both Hindus and Muslims. Local Muslims return home from their place of work even if it be distant from Moyna. The reason behind It is that Hindus, the Muslims alike, take the Mela as their own. An example will make it crystal clear : prof. A.H. Murad happens to be a member of the Faculty of Engineering of Cairo in Egypt. He came to I.I.T., Mumbai on some academic business. All on a sudden he appeared in the Rasmela on 10th January, 1994. He wrote, without being asked for, "It is worth visiting. going round the fair was also an unforgettable experience." Regular greetings arrive at Moyna from the `Hakkani Anjuman', stationed in Kolkata.
Rasmela Radha Krishna Temple , Moyna Garh, East Medinipur. Photo: Arindam Bhowmik
From there Maolana Ajangachhi Rahamatullah Darbar's well-wishes arrive on the eve of the mela. One high official, Nazmul Quainine, Councillor, Bangladesh High Commission Office in Kolkata was present at Moyna Ras Mela as the Chief Guest. He came with his wife and baby on 14 November 1997. From Kolkata's `Missionaries of Charity' Mother Teresa once wrote " Many people will gather together for the celebration. Work for peace and harmony. God is the loving father of all. I, am praying for you."
The instance of `nocturenal naval Rasyatra' is to be seen nowhere in India except in Moynagarh. In the evening of full-moonday of the
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month of Kartik after getting on to double - pinnaced deck the family deity Shyamsundar jeu sets out on a journey to the Rasmancha (platform of Rasa). The fullmoon lifts its head in the sky and instantly a world of beauty comes out. Fire-works dazzle the eyes, paper-balloons glow in the sky. The concert of drums, khol, pipe, gong of belle-metal go on. Both beauty and mystery mingle together. You will utter the eternal line of Keats, "A thing of beauty is a joy forever." The closing festival in the midnight after a few days is not less soothing to the eye. The memory of this moment is a life-long amuzement. The sight is unearthly, supernatural and undescribable. Noiseless, mute in the world in wonder. Darkness will wither away a few hours later. The silvery moon will droop in the west. The golden sun will peep in the eastern horizon and you will be overwhelmed in cosmic consciousness. Then, and then only, the message of eight hundred years old : "Agar firsons bar rui Jamin ast ....". This means: If Heaven descends somewhere on the earth unmindfully, then it is here, here and here only. |
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Communities mingle
at Moyna Mela.
The Statesman (Calcutta),
Thursday, November 9, 1995
Communalism and fanaticism plagues the country, yet the six-century old Rasmela here stands out as an inspiring example of religious tolerance and amity .... yet,
the wonderful Rasmela bearing the cultural heritage of religious oneness remains neglected and unrecognized by the Government and the intelligentsia of Bengal as well. This mela and other antiques of rare historic value of Moyna should be preserved and maintained for researchers before they fade into oblivion ...... (Extract).
Rasmela Radha Krishna Temple , Moyna Garh, East Medinipur. Photo: Arindam Bhowmik |
Rasmela Radha Krishna Temple , Moyna Garh, East Medinipur. Photo: Arindam Bhowmik |
South Bengal
The Statesman, November 19, 2003.
Shyam Sundar Roy in Moyna (Nov. 18) : The fortnight-long ongoing Moyna Rasmela O Lok Samriti Utsav 2003 at Moyna in Midnapore East is a unique example of religious tolerance and oneness. 
Rasmela Culture function stage, Moyna Garh, East Medinipur. Photo: Arindam Bhowmik
Rasmela, the oldest of its kind in the district, began its journey 442 years ago when it was strictly a family-festival of the Bahubalindras, the former Rajahs, its character gradually changed. Now it's a festival of both Hindus and Muslims alike
Rasmela Culture function stage, Moyna Garh, East Medinipur. Photo: Arindam Bhowmik
...... The deities of Krishna and Radha in gorgeously illuminated boats in the placid waters of two ring moats is a real spectacle, and it draws a large number of devotees everyday ..... (Extract). |
