Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

No, it’s not a film by Mrinal Sen or Srijit Mukherjee, but, a date stuck in the root of Bengalee - the day when dearest poet Rabindranath Tagore was died. We know it is the day to ponder over sitting in the corner of room how the poet wrote all of his poems and songs mixed all the emotions, feelings, sentiments, experience and realisation one can gather lifetime. We silently hear his songs and poems and realise the profundity of a life he spent.      Rabindranath Tagore ignored all the sad deaths of his dear ones with a strong will that enriched his creations throughout. He had the philosophy "ভাল মন্দ যাহাই আসুক সত্যেরে লও সহজে" and never escaped.     At the age of 80, he died on "Baishe Shravan" when the monsoon sky wept too. It was the day, when a great life had stopped but, at the same time, the beginning of post-realisation of a great life whom the then society did not recognised.     80 years passed. But still, the humili...

           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...

On 157th birthday of Rabindranath Tagore, upasana (prayer) was performed this morning in Upasana Griha (কাঁচঘর) of Shantiniketan-Bolpur.

On 157th birthday of Rabindranath Tagore, songs, poems & writings of the poet are being performed at the yard of Jorasanko Thakur Bari now. The artist: Swapna Ghoshal

157th birth anniversary of great poet Rabindranath Tagore is being observed today not only in Bengal, but all over the world. The main programme is being held at Jorasanko Thakur Bari where the songs and poems written by Tagore are being performed by eminent artists. The rooms where the poet was born and breathed his lasts - were garlanded by distinguished persons. The other remarkable programme is now being held at Shantiniketan-Bolpur. Prayers are being performed in Upasana Griha (the room for prayers). 'Pranam' 

Rabindranath Tagore was toured Java in the year 1927 accompanied by eminent architect Surendra Nath Kar. Later, when Tagore decided to establish another house at 'Uttarayan' complex, Surendra Nath applied the architectural form of Java on that house and Tagore's son Rathindra Nath took the whole charge of construction of that house. Japanese artist Kono Shuson decorated this house. Tagore named it "UDAYAN". The construction work went till the year 1938.

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.

In the year 1934, this mud house 'SHYAMALI' which also had a mud roof was constructed as an experiment. The outer wall was decorated with beautiful relief work by Kala-Bhavan students under the guidance of artist Nandalal Bose. The house is now under renovation by Archaeological Survey of India.

The house 'Konark' was built during the year 1919-21 at Shantiniketan. At first it was two mud houses with thatched roof. Later, it was re-constructed as per wish of the poet situated on the north-west corner of Uttarayan complex. The floors of this one-storied house are not similar - some floors are high, some low and the roof of all the rooms are separate in design.

Rabindranath Tagore moved into this house named 'PUNASCHA' in the year 1936. He would often sit and work in the open terrace in front of the house.

It is the last house of Rabindranath Tagore named UDICHI (উদীচী) where the poet lived towards the end of 1939. This is a room on 1st floor of UDICHI. It is the bedroom on 1st floor of this two storied house of Tagore - Udichi.

Yesterday, 'Kavi Milan Utsav' was celebrated at Ranaghat of Bengal, as usual, gorgeously. It was observed at the office of SDO, Ranaghat. On 4 September, 1894 Rabindranath Tagore came to Ranaghat on request of another poet Nabin Chandra Sen who was the then SDO of Ranaghat. Tagore was going to Kusthia (now in Bangladesh), so he halted at Ranaghat on the way. On this day, Rabindranath came to the office of SDO, Ranaghat. Since then, the day is being observed by the residents of Ranaghat at the same place, where the two poets met. Here in this picture, the statues of two poets are seen garlanded at the office premises. A literary function was also held on this occasion. -- A. B.

An exhibition on Rabindranath Tagore and his thoughts about environment is being held at Muktodhara (near Goal Market) of New Delhi. It will run till 7 September. -- A. B.

A musical evening with Rabindra Sangeet on the river Ganga on 9 September. Only for guests. -- A. B.

Kadambari Devi was the Bou-Thhan of Rabindranath - but only 2 years older than the poet. She was born on 5 July, in the year 1859 and wedded to Jyoti Dada of Rabindranath - Jyotirindranath Thakur - only at the age of nine. She first stepped in the house of Jorasanko after marriage, with her husband Jyotirindranath, on 5 July 1868, which was also her birthday. Within her short span of life, she captured a permanent place in the heart of young poet Tagore, which the famous poet nurtured softly till his death. Bou-Thhan Kadambari was the friend, philosopher & guide of adolescent Rabindranath. The poet used to read the new poem before Bou-Thhan, and seek her advice/comments. Kadambari was gladly accepted the job and inspired the poet to write new poems. The evenings of summer days were used to decorate by the starry sky and wet garlands of fresh jasmines. They used to spend the evenings on the open roof-top; sometimes, Jyoti dada accompanied them. By this way, a lonely br...

'Anjali Gitan Ri' - the name of translated Gitanjali in Rajasthani language by Ikram Rajasthani of Jaipur, published yesterday in Kolkata. -- A. B.

50 poems of Rabindranath Tagore translated in 'Mandarin' - one of the main language of China. This is the tribute to the great poet after 88 years of his visit China. -- A. B.

-- A. B.

Left: At the courtyard of 'Punascha' - a house in the Uttarayan complex, Shantiniketan. Right: 'Shyamali' the house made of clay, the poet on the door. The house planned by eminent artists of the then Shantiniketan, which is still there intact. -- A. B.