Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

An untitled Tagore painting of a “couple”, from the 1930s, was auctioned by Christie’s on September 22, with a price estimate of between $120,000 and $180,000 (Rs 88 lakh-Rs 1.3 crore). But, the said painting was sold out at the price of Rs. 4.7 Crore ($637,500). The name of the buyer although not disclosed.  The painting was acquired directly from Rabindranath Tagore by Edith Andreae, a literary executor and editor of the works of her brother, Walther Rathenau, and her banker husband in Berlin, Friedrich. It was passed on in the Rathenau family as an heirloom. Rathenau was a German industrialist, writer and liberal He considered the painting as “a national treasure”, the painting, mixed media on paper laid on card, measures 56.8cm x 45.7cm, “considerably larger than most of his works”. Christie’s tells prospective buyers that although Tagore “is still best known for his poetry and songs, his importance as an artist was recognised when he became one of nine painters designat...

   

When I've read first 'Pather Panchali' child edition in school in early 70s, I came to know that a film also made baaed on this book. 'Aam Antir Bhepu' (আম আঁটির ভেঁপু) was also a chapter of this book we had to study in school. I had a scope soon to watch the film 'Pather Panchali'. But, the original novel was yet to come to me. .    I've read the original 'Pather Panchali' book borrowing from library. We had a vast library in school and I used to love the story books of that library instead my books for studies. Every Saturday, after the leave, the teacher used to call the names and gave us a book to brought it to home to read on Sunday. By this way, I've read many popular story books written for children. .   Gradually, I became fan of author Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay, not only for his 'Pather Panchali', but 'Aparajito' and many other novels including his famous short story books. I could relate me with Apu -...

Sunil Gangopadhyay  was born on 7 September, 1934. His poems I like very much. An innocent statement prevails his poems and that is the essence I like. Neera is the woman for whom he had written so many poems - although imaginary one this 'Neera'. Below, one of his famous poem I like, 'Suddenly for Nira.' .    হঠাৎ নীরার জন্য বাস স্টপে দেখা হলো তিন মিনিট, অথচ তোমায় কাল                                    স্বপ্নে বহুক্ষণ দেখেছি ছুরির মতো বিঁধে থাকতে সিন্ধুপারে–দিকচিহ্নহীন – বাহান্ন তীর্থের মতো এক শরীর, হাওয়ার ভিতরে তোমাকে দেখছি কাল স্বপ্নে, নীরা, ওষধি স্বপ্নের নীল দুঃসময়ে। দক্ষিণ সমুদ্রদ্বারে গিয়েছিলে কবে, কার সঙ্গে? তুমি আজই কি ফিরেছো? স্বপ্নের সমুদ্র সে কী ভয়ংকর, ঢেউহীন, শব্দহীন, যেন তিনদিন পরেই আত্মঘাতী হবে, হারানো আঙটির মতো দূরে তোমার দিগন্ত, দুই উরু ডুবে কোনো জুয়াড়ির সঙ্গিনীর মতো, অথচ একলা ছিলে, ঘোরতর স্বপ্নের ভিতরে তুমি একা। এক বছর ঘুমোবো না, স্বপ্নে দেখে কপালের ঘাম ...