Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

           Kolkata will observe 77th death anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore on 8th August'17 (22 Shravan). On this occasion, a special programme will be held at Gandhi Bhavan of Jadavpur University. The inaugural song will be presented by the students of varsity. "Varshamangal" (বর্ষামঙ্গল) - a compilation of Tagore's rainy season songs will be performed by 'Kanikadhara' (কণিকাধারা) of Shantiniketan under the supervision of Priyam Mukhopadhyay. Prof. Sukanta Chowdhury will deliver speech on the subject "দেশকাল ও রবীন্দ্র-শিক্ষাভাবনা" (The country and time and ideas of Tagore about education). After that, VC Suranjan Das will talk about the internationalism of Tagore ("রবীন্দ্রনাথের আন্তর্জাতিকতাবাদ"). Shankha Ghosh, Nabanita Deb Sen and Sourin Bhattacharya will present there at the function.            Various programmes will be held at 'Rabindra Tirtha' of New Town from 8th August to 27th August'17 to mark the occ...

Chhatimtala (ছাতিমতলা) is the holy place at Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore's Shantiniketan where his father Maharshi Debendranath Tagore used to take rest and meditate daily. He was the worshipper of Param Bramha (the Holy Father). He first took rest at this place under chhatim (সপ্তপর্ণ) tree on his way to Raipur (near Bolpur). Later, after the establishment of Visva-Bharati University in the year 1901, the annual convocation was being held at this place and a bunch of Chhatim leaves (সপ্তপর্ণ) used to give to the students. It is now a heritage site and protected.

3-days long 122nd Poush Mela has started today at Shantiniketan (Bolpur) with Baidik upasana and Rabindra Sangeet on the ground (pic below). This fair is specially meant for folk culture, handicrafts and baul songs. Once upon a time, this Poush Mela used to held at the ground (pic below) initiated by Debendranath and nurtured by his son Rabindranath Tagore. Now, this is a heritage site.