Rupa Farhad and Mala Khurrum. two prominent artistes of 'Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra' (SBBK) and daughters of the pioneering filmmaker Abdul Jabbar Khan, got together to share their memories of 1971. In a lively conversation, the sisters talked about their experience of the Liberation War.

"The memories remain fresh. I can very well recall die horrors of die crackdown on the night of March 25, 1971 and the eerie feelings that haunted Mala and me at the DIT Television Centre," Rupa reminisces. She continues, "Actually we were scheduled to record a programme on diat very night. When we went in, we saw Pakistani soldiers at the compound. The ambiance was solemn. Fortunately, we met someone who told us to leave die compound immediately. We left without a second thought."

After the crackdown, other members of the family went to India and advised them to wait for further directions "It was in mid-July, when the remaining members of our family started towards India from Kaliganj in a private car," says Rupa, who still shivers at the memory of that journey. "We heard that the bridges were all blown up by the Muktijoddhas."

"When we got very close to the border of Agartala in India, we saw about 50 Pak army

jeeps arriving. They stopped and started firing indiscriminately on the river to terrorise people. We waited for the army to stop firing," adds Mala.

"After a while when the Pak soldiers left the place, we met a group of freedom fighters, who encouraged us to cross the borders," says Rupa.

Going over the experience at Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra, Rupa says, "Almost every day we used to record songs, but had no clue as to where it was transmitted from. I still recall the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr when we performed the song 'Chaand tumi phirey jao' and other two songs "Nai diley Eid Bangladeshcy' and Arnra jokhon rnukto hobo,' all of which carrying the same message, that is, we would celebrate Eid once we have attained freedom." The songs were played repeatedly on Eid day.

Then came the day -- December 16. "In the morning, while we were rehearsing a song at SBBK, one of our co-artistes rushed into the centre with the biggest smile possible, and gave us the news we were craving to hear. Our prayers have been answered. We are free now," recall the sisters. "We were ecstatic and came out on the streets to celebrate. The usual blackouts in Kolkata city were finally over, there were lights everywhere. We could now go back home. We were liberated."

The article is a reprint of an earlier version.