This memorial complex is proposed to commemorate Comrade Moni Singh, a preeminent Communist leader in greater Bengal. He was the mentor of the Tanka/ Tonko and Tevaga Movements and founder of communist party in pre-independence Bangladesh (the then East Pakistan).

The monument is purpose-built to create an experiential journey for visitors. Spaces are articulated to portray Moni Singh’s revolutionary political life during pre and post-independence of Bangladesh.

Moni Singh’s political life spanned across British Period, Pakistan Period, Independent Bangladesh Period. His contributions in each period is showcased through a system of spatial zoning. In their journey to the memorial complex, visitors first come across Moni Singh’s early life and political movements during ‘British Period’. The journey then continues to the next zone featuring ‘Pakistan Period’ followed by the ‘Bangladesh Period’.

Moni Singh was a leader of the proletariat or working class. He stood for the rights of the farmers and peasants and devoted himself to bringing about revolutionary changes in the society. The farmers live entirely from the sale of its labour and does not draw profit from any kind of capital.  Their sole existences depend on their hard labour in the paddy fields. In these senses, the paddy fields are the determinants of the farmers weal and woe, life and death. Hence, this project interprets the communist ideology through the patchworks of agricultural landscape.

The design takes help of metaphor to symbolize the important communist movements led by Moni Singh. During the colonial British period, the most significant movement led by Moni Singh was ‘Tonko’ Movement which was initiated to ‘protect rice’. To symbolize ‘Tonko’ Movement, an outdoor space with a large tree at the center surrounding by a semi-circular wall of inscription has been designed.

Another significant movement led by Moni Singh was Tevaga Movement. According to Tevaga laws, Zamindars took two parts of the cultivated crops as revenue and give only one part to the farmer.This unjust exercise of power oppression is symbolized through a tiny red block compressed in between two overpowering black blocks.

The transition from ‘Colonial’ to ‘Bangladesh’ section is guided through flights of descending ramps and steps that represent the nation’s struggle for independence. The journey finally ends up to a vertical structure rising with pride to a total height of 60 feet. As the structure is partially submerged, at the foothill of the tower, the visitors will find themselves isolated from the material world largely built upon capitalist ideology. Thus, it offers a renewed perspective of an independent communal Bangladesh where equal rights and opportunities for everyone in the society are favoured.

Further, water is used to imitate the deltaic landscape of Bangladesh as well as a guiding element. Water channels and the sound of water flows guide the visitors to the end of journey- a terminal place to evoke a sensual emptiness that reminds the absence of Comrade Moni Singh.

The complex also includes a museum. The museum block has 5 galleries:  Gallery 1 -British period, Gallery 2- Pakistan period, Gallery no 3- War’ 71 period, Gallery No 4- Independent Bangladesh and Gallery no 5 is the Hall of remembrance.

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