Among the Not So Great

Calcutta — 1937-1945

During this period much of India was again seething, trying to throw off the foreign ruler. The war too was on (1939). There was unrest and uncertainty. Youth all over the country was roused to action. Birenda, a young man of 23, full of strength and energy was naturally eager to take part in some nationalistic movement. His youthful strength, based on a strong sense of morals, itself backed by fearlessness and a sense of duty, would have in all probability made of him a dangerous man in British eyes. But that was not to be. His guru, a fiery revolutionary named Alok, discouraged him from joining any movement. These movements, he said, were mixed with politics and self-interests. He wanted rather that Birenda prepared young men of strong and good character. This was more useful and important for the nation. So, Birenda started a club where the young could, through physical exercises and games, learn to be disciplined, know the values of collective organised effort, how to lead or follow, etc. They were at the same time taught some moral values and slowly infused with a national spirit. Birenda learned his boxing skills under J.K. Sheel and went on to become the champion of Bengal. He won all his fights decisively, that earned him a title of “K.O. King” — i.e. Knockout King. He went through some training in wrestling and picked up folk and Bratachari dances. He gathered quite a bit of knowledge on weight training and lifting, freehand exercises and drills and last but not least of all he learned some physiotherapy and massage. He refined and improved upon this last item and that served him and others greatly in the later part of his life.

During one of his wrestling bouts he broke one of his knees. That put an end to competitive boxing. This knee plagued him right through, till the end of his life. It was about this time that a young boy came under his influence — who later was to have a great bearing on his life. The young boy came to Calcutta for his studies around 1939. Birenda took him under his wing, saw great possibilities in him. Both were drawn to each other. Birenda often escorted the boy home. The relationship developed into a brotherliness and gradually Birenda became a family member in the boy’s home. The young boy was none other than our Pranabda (Dada) of the P. E. D. When Pranabda was to go back to Behrampur Birenda gave him the same advice that he got from Alokda — i.e. to prepare the youth — which he did. Incidentally — Pranabda and Birenda were once having a friendly boxing bout. Their skills were keenly honed. Pranabda landed a swift and hard blow and Birenda was k.o.’d. He was up in a few minutes, the fight continued and boom — Birenda landed one on the younger man’s jaw — and down he went k.o.’d. Birenda was mighty pleased that his student had achieved what none of his opponents (usually British Tommies) could. He treated Pranabda to a sumptuous snack of sweets.

Birenda knew no fear. Once in Calcutta, when he was crossing a lonely area, he heard a woman’s cry for help. He rushed to the spot and saw a man molesting a woman. He was obviously a man of some standing as he had a Gurkha bodyguard standing nearby — unheeding, Birenda rushed forward — the Gurkha ran away. Birenda grabbed the man and dealt him a pile-driver that put him down. Birenda picked him up, shook him and “wham” another blow and down he went. This treatment was repeated half a dozen times. Birenda left the place. Happening to pass that way after an hour or so, he saw a crowd of people but did not approach to enquire or see what held the crowd. It seems that the man was dead.

On another occasion Birenda went after a local goonda right into his lair. Birenda’s friends had warned him not to, for the man had a gang and he was dangerous — more so in his own area. But Birenda went, dragged the man out, gave him a warning and went away. None moved in the goonda’s defence and none dared touch Birenda.

In 1947, on the night of August 14th there was an attack on the Ashram, by a mob. Why? Who was behind egging them on? Probably politicians were behind for some motives of their own. Many knew an attack may take place. When it did come in the early part of the night, there was a music programme in the Ashram. (A few programmes were held in the Ashram in those days — Dilip Kumar Roy, Omkarnath Thakur, etc. had sung in the Meditation Hall.) Birenda and another person were going to the Playground. They were met by the mob near the Post-Office corner. The mob fell on Birenda He caught hold of two of his assailants by their chaddars — kept twisting the chaddars like a tourniquet and dragging them back towards the Ashram gate. All this while blows were raining down on him with sticks. One of his captives dug his teeth into Birenda’s hand and managed to escape. For some reason the Ashram gate was closed — the only help came from one lone Nepali boy named Birsing. He jumped into the fray to ease some of the pressure off Birenda. Fortunately, some time later some young men opened the gate and rushed out. The mob dispersed. The police came to pick up the crumbs.