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.

-- A. B.

Relationship of Rabindranath with Chandannagar was very deep. The poet used to live several times at several houses of Chandannagar. 'Janhabi Nibas' near river Ganga is one of those houses. The poet wrote, on the top, there was a room with opened doors, from where I used to see the sunlighted net on the top new leaves of bushy 'Bakul' tree. Here I once lived. The poet wrote, those beautiful days of mine on the bank of river Ganga, were just like dedication of full bloomed lotuses on the river Ganga. Unfortunately the house is now neglected, proper care and conservation of this house never seen Chandannagar. The poet inaugurated the Banga Sahitya Sammelan at Chandannagar in the Bengali year 1343. Where the Gondalpara Jute Mill situated now, a bungalow was there named Moran saheb-er bagan bari. Moran means Lat Saheb. In Latin, it means 'which glitters in dark'. The poet mentioned about this house in his short story 'Adhyapak O Apod' (The Pr...

The photos are of Rabindranath Tagore in his early youth after returning from Himalayas. And the house Udayan at Shantiniketan, which was erected planned by the poet. The decoration of verandah is of Joypur style. -- A. B.

My childhood and the Calcutta where I was born... -- A. B.

When I was born... -- A. B.

-- A. B.

25 Boishakh, 8 May 2012 - 152 birthday of poet Rabindranath Tagore. Kolkata, the city of joy will observe the birth centenary of the great poet with traditional reverence, happiness and enthusiasm. The main event on this day would be performed in the open stage at Rabindra Sadan from 2pm-10pm. Eminent singers of the city will sing Rabindra Sangeet : Dwijen Mukhopadhyay, Purba Dam, Mohan Singh, Swapan Gupta, Swapna Ghoshal, Abhirup Guhathakurata, Purabi Mukhopadhyay, Ajoy Chakraborty, Hoimanti Shukla, Pubali Debnath, Dr. Chitralekha Chowdhury, Pramita Mullick, Srikanta Acharya, Swagatalaksmi Dasgupta, Shraboni Sen, Raghab Chattopadhyay, Shantanu Roy Chowdhury, Rajashri Bhattacharya, Ustad Rashid Khan, Nachiketa, Rezwana Chowdhury Banya, Jayati Chakraborty, Indrani Sen, Indraneel Sen, Lopamudra Mitra, Anjan Dutta and Sriradha Bandyopadhyay. Recitation: Pradip Ghosh, Shaonli Mitra, Pranati Thakur and Satinath Mukhopadhyay. Dance-drama: Balmiki Pratibha (direction: Alakananda...

In the year 1913, Rabindranath Tagore's play Dakghar (The Post Office) was first staged at Abbey Theatre of Ireland by the famous poet W. B. Yeats and by this way, it was the first staged play of Tagore in abroad.