Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

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

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.

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.

Tagore's Shantiniketan celebrated today the Holi or Dol Utsav as Vasant Utsav or festival of spring at Ashram Maath. So many tourists witnessed the function since early morning with much enthusiasm. The programme started with prayer and then the musical dance of 'Vasant' staged there following 'aabir khela'. Local rural artists performed with baul songs before the camera of media. The crowd enjoyed the whole day very much in a festiv mood. Also the celebrities like 'Saheb' of Kolkata enjoyed the utsav with colours. The dance-drama of Tagore 'Mayar Khela' would be staged there at the evening. -- A. B.

The 4-day long Vasant Utsav at Shantiniketan this year would be more tourist-friendly. One of the problem the tourists with family usually face is the drinking water. Inside the premises of Viswa-Bharati, there are not so many sources of drinking water. So, for the first time, pouch pack of drinking water (like Book Fair of Kolkata) will be supplied mainly to the childrens and women. The drinking water supply car of municipality shall also be there. -- A. B.

Bengal's beautiful 'Basant Utsav at Shantiniketan' tableau will lead at the Republic day parade in New Delhi this morning. And the eternal rural harvest image will reflect at Kolkata parade. The picture above is tableau for Delhi parade and below for Kolkata parade. -- A. B.

After 12 years, West Bengal participating in Republic Day parade in New Delhi on 26 January with a beautiful tableau of Shantiniketan. According to the final blueprint of tableau, the prayer room, paintings of Kala Bhavan, open air class etc of Shantiniketan will be depicted and images also be there. A group of young dancers will perform through the way beside tableau with springtime dress and song "Neel Digante Oi Phuler Aagun Laglo...". -- A. B.

Book fair is the main attraction of this year's Poush Mela at Shantiniketan. Literary collections of Rabindranath translated in 26 languages will be exhibited here for the international tourists. Moreover, souvenir collections published to commemorate Tagore's 100, 125 & 150 birth anniversary will also be exhibited, translated in Indian and foreign languages. Tourists and foreigners started to come here already. Apart from this, usual items of rural handicrafts will also be there. The mela is officially open for 3 days (23-25 Dec) but unofficially it will run upto 31 December. -- A. B.