---- LET'S GO TO TAGORE’S SHANTINIKETAN----
Written by- Rupesh Kumar Samanta/ 06.05.2018
-----Part- 1-----
In fact, everything is not
implemented as per planning. Where there is will there is way towards the place
of interest. Fine! Just taking a rooksack bag, let’s go! In the morning I
boarded a train at Howrah station. It is just about 150 km way. It takes two
and a half to three hours to reach Bolpur in the district of Birbhum. There are
lots of trains. I reached Shantiniketan by Totos or rickshaws. Now the history
is in front of me.
-----Look back----
Shantiniketan area of
Bolpur in Birbhum district was once known as Bhuvandanga after the name of
landowner Bhuban Singh. In the other case, the name of this area is named after
the notorious dacoit, Bhuban Dakat. However, Rabindranath Tagore's father
Debendranath Tagore had much kinship with the zamindar family of Raipur. In
1862 the Maharishi was going to attend the invitation to the Zamindari Bari.
Going on the way to Raipur, Debendranath Tagore saw the beautiful scenery of
this region of red clay. There
was a big green paddy field. Seeing this natural beauty, he got involved. He
expressed his interest in this land and offered to buy the land. The zamindar
Of Raipur was ready to sell the land. After that he made a house there. The
house was named Santiniketan. In 1863 he built an ashram and there he started
the Brahmo society. Rabindranath established Brahmavidyalaya in Santiniketan in
1901. Subsequently,
it was later upgraded to Visva-Bharati University. This place is unique in his
literature and creations. In 1951 Visvabharati University got the status of
Central University of India.
----- Santiniketan Vaban
[Shantiniketan Building] -----
Santiniketan Building is
the first sight to enter Gateway. Maharshi Debendranath Tagore built this house
in 1864. It was first floor at that time. After it became two storied building.
Maharshi would sit in meditation in this house. Rabindranath Tagore was here for some days
in his childhood on his way to the Himalayas with his father. Then, Rabindranath
stayed here for some time while establishing Brahmacharya School. Later he
never used it as a homestead. There is an abstract sculpture of Ramkimar Beij in
front of this house. It is like a flame, but its shadow shows ‘a child in the
mother’s lap’.
----- Upasana Mandir [Temple of
worship] -----
Next is the Upasana Mandir.
In 1892 the Upasana Mandir or Brahma temple was inaugurated. This temple was
established by Debendranath Tagore's eldest son, Dijendranath Tagore. The temple
house is made of colored Belgiam glasses. This temple looks beautiful. A meditation
programme is held on every Wednesday morning here.
----- Chhatimtala [Place under
Chhatim Tree] ----
Let's go to Chhatimtala.
Debendranath Tagore once was going to the zamindar of Raipur. On the way, he
rested for a while under the Chhatim tree. She liked the place very much. Then
he bought 20 Bighas of land from Raipur zamindar for one rupee (then Sixteen Ana).
But two of those trees are no more. Then, two new Chhatim trees were planted in
that place. Entrance of anybody is strictly prohibited here. According to Maharshi,
he found the comfort of his life, the joy of his soul, and the peace of the
soul.
----- Talladhawaj -----
Walking on foot, you can see
a beautiful round-shaped mud house. Tejash Chandra Sen is the builder of this
house. This house gave another dimension to the beauty of the Santiniketan
monastery. This house is built around a Tal tree. The Tal tree stands like a
standing flag or 'dhawza', which means its name, "Taladhawj".
----- Tin Pahar [Three Hill] ----
Then it is Tin Pahar. We get
stories from Rabindranath's childhood. Little Rabindranath collected stones and
made hills under this Banyan tree. The lower part of the Banyan tree is now concreted.
Debendranath would meditate here.
---- Dehali -----
It's a small two-storied
building. This house was established in 1904. After the death of his wife
Mrinalini Devi, the poet lived alone in this house for a long time. Here he
created many literature. At present, there is a children's school 'Mrinalini
Ananda Pathshala'. This children school was started in memory of poet’s wife in
1961.
---- Natun Bari [New house] -----
In the east of Shalbithi, we
can see the house of straw built floor 'new-house'. Maharshi Debendranath
Tagore built the 'Santiniketan' house for the guests of the monastery. But there
is no house for family residencce. In 1902, Rabindranath Tagore constructed
this house. But Mrinalini Devi died before completing this house. The family of
the poet was in this house. The children lived here with their long-related
grandmother Rajlakshmi Devi. Currently it is the office of 'Alapani Mahila
Samity'.
----- Shalbithi [Row of Shal
tree] -----
A road of the red soil
extends towards Chaiti. This is the most beloved way of poet. There are many
Shal trees beside the way. These are in a row. Poet named this place as 'Shalbithi’
---- Amrakunja [Garden of Mango
tree] -----
There is an 'Amarkunj' in the middle of
Upasana Mandir and Salbithi. Classes are held under the tree and sky. Teachers
sit on the altar. University programs are also held here. Here, the celebration
of Visva-Bharati's Foundation Day, birth anniversary of Rabindranath are held. The
reception of Nobel Prize of the poet and many prominent personalities was held.
The convocation festival is celebrated here in the presence of the Prime
Minister of India, who is the Acharya of Visva Bharati.
----- Santoshalaya -----
There is a building named
'Santoshalya'. Its roof is made of tiles. At first, the students of the school would
stay here. It is currently hostel of children. Rabindranath sent his son Rathindranath
with his friend’s son, Santosh Chandra Majumdar to study agricultural education
in America. Returning from America, he acted for Sriniketan's work. In memory
of his sudden death, this house was named ‘Santoshalaya’.
----Ghanta-tala [Bell Stand]
-----
At the middle of the
salbithi, under a banyan tree, there is 'Ghanta-tala'. It is made in the form
of ancient Buddhist style. Classes are held according to the bells.
----- Shamindra Pathagar
[Shamindra Childrens’ Library] -----
This is a school library named
'Shamidra School Library'. It is named after the youngest son of poet, Shamindranath
Tagore.
----- Gaur Prangan [Play Ground]
-----
There is a beautiful field
in front of Sinhasadan. Gaur Gopal Ghosh, a student of Santiniketan, was a
prominent player. This field was named in the name of Gaur Gopal Ghosh.
----- Singhasadan [Building]
-----
Sinhasadan is a spectacular
view. On the one side of the roof of the house there is a hanging belle and on another
roof there are three clock. Students can understand the significance of the
sound of bell and clocks. This house was built by the lord of Satyendra
Prasanna Singh, the zamindar of Raipur. So it is named as 'Singhsadan'. On 7
August 1940, Oxford University honored Rabindranath with the title of D.Litt.
in this house.
----- Purba O Paschim Toran [Eastern
and Western Arcades] -----
There are East and West Torans
in the side of Singhasadan to symbolize eastern and western culture.
----- Dinantika [Tea House] -----
It was founded in 1939 by the wife of Dinendranath Tagore, Kamaladevi. It was
a small house with eight angles. At the end of the day, the tired teachers and staff
of the Ashram came here for tea-snacks.
----- Chaitimala [Hut] -----
There is a haut named Chaiti.
The Chaiti is located under a bell tree and at the four-road junction of
Visva-Bharati University. Its roof is also made of clay. An architecture made
it in combination with soil and tar. Surendranath Kar and Nandlal Basu built it.
In Chaiti, the new generation of artisans mainly showed and displayed their
creations here.
---- Dwijaviram [House] ----
'Dwijabiram' is the home of
Tiles-floor near the first gate of Santiniketan. Rabindranath's elder brother
Dwijendranath Tagore spent the last years of his life in this house.
Rabindranath Tagore himself named the house.
---- Kalobari [Black House] ----
There is a hostel of Kalavaban's
students named 'Kalobari'. It is beside the Sangeet Vaban. This is the house of
asbestos-floor. The walls of the house are decorated in sculpture. These
sculptures are covered with tar regularly to protect them from rain water.
----- Patha Vaban -----
The Library Office is
located in the Gauragrangan. At first this was the University Library. In 1899,
Khedranath Tagore built this house. Rabindranath Tagore started the
Brahmacharashram School in this house in 1901.
----- Hindi Vaban -----
Two-storied houses near the university's canteen are 'Hindi Bhaban'. There
is a library to practice on Hindi literature.
[Continuing… Please wait
for the ending part/ Part- 2]
Written by- Rupesh Kumar Samanta/ 06.05.2018
Part 2 koba asbe?
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