Summary
After completing the lesson, students will be able to:
- Read and understand texts
- Ask and answer questions
- Participate in short dialogues on familiar topics
In a conversation between Fahmida and her father, Mr. Farhad, they discuss a song titled "Bangladesh" performed by George Harrison, a famous English singer. Fahmida learns that Harrison contributed to Bangladesh's Liberation War by organizing the Concert for Bangladesh on August 1, 1971, at Madison Square Garden, raising awareness and funds for war victims.
Mr. Farhad explains that the concert brought in millions of dollars for UNICEF and highlighted the suffering in Bangladesh.
Students are then asked to determine whether statements regarding Harrison and the concert are true or false, and complete a summary of the song’s lyrics about the plight in Bangladesh, using suitable words from a given box.
Lastly, they will discuss a Bangla song that inspired people during the liberation war, covering questions about its first line, theme, singer, and personal feelings while listening to it.
After completing the lesson students will be able to
- read and understand texts
- ask and answer questions
- participate in short dialogues and conversations on familiar topics
A It's Friday evening. Mr. Farhad is watching television in the sitting room. His daughter Fahmida comes in. A tall, bearded man with long hair is playing a guitar and singing a song, "Bangladesh, Bangladesh..." on the television screen. Fahmida is thrilled to watch a foreigner singing a song on Bangladesh. She has the following conversation with her father about the song and the singer.
Fahmida Father, who is this singer? He is not a Bangladeshi, is he?
Mr. Farhad You are right! He is not. He is a famous singer from England. His name is George Harrison.
Fahmida George Harrison! Why did he sing the song on Bangladesh?
Mr. Farhad That's a huge story. Harrison was not only a famous singer but also a great humanist. He helped us during our Liberation War of 1971.
Fahmida Did he come to Bangladesh to take part in the Liberation War?
Mr. Farhad No, my child, he didn't come to Bangladesh, but he fought for our cause by organising the historic Concert for Bangladesh.
Fahmida Concert for Bangladesh! Please, father. Tell me more about it.
Mr. Farhad Well, the Concert for Bangladesh was held on the 1st August, 1971 at the Madison Square Garden, New York.
George Harrison and some other famous musicians performed in that live concert in front of an audience of about forty thousand people.
It was organised to make the world aware of the sufferings of Bangladesh during our liberation war.
Fahmida Wasn't that great!
Mr. Farhad Yes, it was great! The concert won huge support for the millions of war victims of Bangladesh.
At the same time it raised millions of dollars for UNICEF relief fund.
Fahmida I'm really glad that you told me all this, Father.
I think we should be grateful to George Harrison and his friends who organised the Concert for Bangladesh.
Mr. Farhad You are right, dear! We should remember those great friends who helped us in our days of struggle and suffering.
A1 In pairs, discuss if the following statements are True or False. If false, correct the statement.
a. George Harrison was from the United States.
b. In 1971, George Harrison visited Bangladesh to take part in the liberation war.
c. A huge audience attended the concert for Bangladesh.
d. George Harrison was the only well-known musician to take part in the Concert for Bangladesh.
e. The people of the world became aware of the crisis in Bangladesh following the Concert for Bangladesh.
B Read the lyrics of the song aloud. Here are some parts of the song 'Bangladesh'.
Bangladesh
My friend came to me, with sadness in his eyes
He told me that he wanted help
Before his country dies
Although I couldn't feel the pain, I knew I had to try
Now, I'm asking all of you
To help us save some lives
Bangladesh, Bangladesh
Where so many people are dying fast
And it sure looks like a mess
I've never seen such distress
Now, won't you lend your hand and understand
Relieve the people of Bangladesh
Bangladesh, Bangladesh
Such a great disaster - I don't understand
But it sure looks like a mess
I've never known such distress
Now, please don't turn away, I want to hear you say
Relieve the people of Bangladesh
Relieve Bangladesh.
B1 Now, complete the summary of the first three stanzas of the song "Bangladesh' with suitable words from the box below the passage.
support | stand | come | problems |
My friend came to me with sad eyes and requested me to help his country before it died. Though I could not feel the pain, but I think I should try to help. I also appeal to you all to (1) ______ us to save the lives of those people. The country is facing (2) ________ and I have never seen such sufferings. Now, won't you (3) ________ beside the people of Bangladesh and (4)________ forward to reduce their sufferings?
B2 Do you know of any Bangla song that inspired the people of Bangladesh during the war of liberation in 1971? Discuss in groups and write down the first line or a few lines of the song in Bangla.
a) What is the first line of the song?
b) What is the song about?
c) Who is the singer of the song?
d) Where did you hear the song first?
e) How do you feel when you listen to this song?
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