A Walk Through Sonargaon

Anil Advani

A photo journal from a visit to

Panam Nagar / Sonargaon in Bangladesh

A Walk Through SonargaonCopyright © 2010 by Anil AdvaniAll rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the written permission of the author.

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Published byResources Unlimited InternationalDhaka, Bangladesh

A Walk Through Panam Nagarand Sonargaon

Anil Advani

"Sonargaon”, the Golden village, is a testimony to the glorious past of ancient Bengal. Sonargaon, thecapital of ancient Bengal, established in the 13th century.

Just 27 kms from the bustling metro of Dhaka, walk through Sonargaon and you will be transported back in time to medieval Bengal.

The red brick, un-plastered buildings, were decorated with terracotta carvings. Beautiful calligraphy adorns the facades and doorways.

Today, Sonargaon is a dilapidated town, with most of its buildings lying in ruins. A heritage uncared for, looted of valuable carvings and ironwork...a lucrative hunting ground for antique dealers whohave vandalized the buildings and “exported” the beautiful carvings and other artifacts.

Despite its historical significance, Sonargaon hasbeen allowed to decay and crumble. The World’s

Monument Fund has placed it on its 2008 list of the 100 most endangered monuments in the world, but it continues to decay.

The homeless live in the fragile ruins. Children find the crumbling buildings mysterious playgrounds that need to be explored everyday.

Vegetation, lichens and moss overtake what they can.

What is it, that attracts us to ruins?

What brings the tourist and the casual day-tripper tolook, and say "wow!".

The half blue painted door, the old gnarled wood with a rusty door chain, the play of light through the archedwindows, ancient dust, worn bricks, leaning buildings -these do make beautiful pictures. Enjoy them!

Here is some information and the translation of these two inscriptions, done by Arham Chowdhury:"These inscriptions are Hare Rama Hare Krishna chants. They are written in ancient Bangla scriptures.The first one says – Shaat (number 7) Hore Krishno Hore Krishno Krishno Krishno Hore Hore Hore Ram Hore Ram Ram Ram Hore Hore Shon (Year) 122…(can’t make out this part) Hymn of the Hare Krishna Hare Rama.

The second one: In the circle, from the top - Hore Hore Hore Ram Hore Ram Hore Ram Ram Ram Hore Hore Hore Krishno Hore Krishno Krishno Krishno ( completes the circle) Hymn of Hare Rama Hare Krishna.In the centre, from the top per each line – Bonddey (sign praise of)Sri Modenpinath (Sri or Mr Modenpinath)Podar Binddo (Point of leg)Jugolom (pair)Translates to Sing Praise of Sri. Modenpinath corner of pair of legs, often Modan Mohan or Modenpinath is also the name of Lord Krishna. So what I can make out that the inscription says is sing the praise of Krishana and we are the at the corner of his legs (with devotion)."

translated by - ARHAM CHOURHURY

This photo book is the result of a yearly "Solo Photo Book Month" or SoFoBoMo project started by Paul Butzi. Google it, and you will know what it is all about!