O Sajani Go

This is the first book on Dhamail, prevalent in the peripheries of Bengal. Parul Prakashani, Agartala published this book in 2004. Price: Rs. 50/-; No. of pages: 80/-; Cover design: Partha Pratim Gangopadhyay.

Dhamail is a popular dance form of Bengal and its peripheral areas. At one time it flourished in Sylhet, Maimensingh areas of Bangladesh and Barak Valley and Tripura on this side of the border. Though, in general the glory of this dance form is on the decay, still some areas have preserved it quite well. At one time, in the concerned areas this dance was an integral part of various occasions like marriage, christening ceremony etc. The female folk of the family have been actively carrying forward this tradition for ages. This is not just a medium of entertainment. It also plays a pivotal role in strengthening the social texture. Women of different castes and classes take part in this dance exhibiting the spirit of unity. This helps in cementing the social integrity. Without a mention about Dhamail discussion on the folk culture of Bengal is incomplete. So, it has been discussed in several articles but this book, perhaps is the first exclusive composition on Dhamail. Expert views on the subject, interviews of veteran Dhamail artistes, Dhamail songs - all have enriched the book.

Newspaper Reports

Ganashakti, October 18, 2004, Kolkata-16: "....At a time when continuous invasion on the folk culture is deeply agonizing, writer-researcher of Tripura Pannalal Roy has done a good work. Before this, he had written a few books on Tripura related subjects. But his book on Dhamail, 'O Sajani Go' is totally different....This book offers a vivid narration of real life experience. While working on this project at times, Mr. Roy rushed to Kajirgao in Kailashahar to get a first hand view of the Dhamail artistes and at times he depended on the compositions of Ashutosh Bhattacharya to Hemanga Biswas. So far, whatever the experts and scholars have said on this subject has taken the pain to extract everything. Keeping the available sources in view he has discovered new information and songs. The way he has presented this decaying art form through his writing is undoubtedly commendable. I wish further expansion of the area of his work."

Dainik Sambad, September 10, 2006, Agartala: ".....The author has tried his best to rush to the remote village....Though the book deals with a dance form Pannalal Roy has structured his work in a way that suits the readers in general. The book begins on a different note itself. He, in the very beginning, takes us to a village through the fog-clad grass field. Follows the scene of a village in the afternoon. There the author lands in a Dhamail function.....Considering all aspects 'O Sajani Go' can be a good collection for all".

Daily Desher Katha, January 30, 2006, Agartala: "....Perhaps 'O Sajani Go' by Pannalal Roy is the first exclusive work on Dhamail dance. Bringing in reference other folk dances of Bengal, Mr. Roy has elaborated Dhamail and has used quotes of different experts to strengthen his discussion. He conducted several spot-interviews of Dhamail artistes. In brief, this book throws light into several unknown facts about this ancient dance form of Bengal.....In this context he also referred to the holistic approach of the Government of Tripura towards revival of folk culture. All these make this book an interesting reading and a work worth collecting. Above all, this book could prove a valuable source for any new work on Dhamail in future...."

Saptahik Bartaman, June 10, 2006, Kolkata-105: "Dhamail song and dance is two precious assets of the women of Sylhet and Kachar. I have never come across such a nice book on Dhamail before. The author has not presented the interviews of the Dhamail artistes and audience in a separate section, instead he has assimilated it with teh narration......He has covered everything from formation of Dhamail troupes, use of instruments in Dhamail to the origin of Dhamail dance in his book 'O Sajani Go'. Many songs have also found place in this book".

The Times of India (Kolkata, February 21, 2006): "....Dhamail songs tell of the love of Sri Krishna and Radha and were performed during socio-religious functions, such as weddings. However, Dhamail is now virtually on the verge of extinction. Bengali women no longer perform Dhamail. I know several young girls who have never heard of the dance form, Roy regretted. In his book O Sajani Go, Roy has quoted several scholars and Dhamail signers like Gurusaday Datta, Ashutosh Bhattacharjee, and maintained that the dance form had originated from Sylhet...."