R for Rabindranath Tagore – Kolkata Chronicles

When the letter R is to be used for the city called Kolkata, the first instinct can be to write about Rosogolla, the famous sweet dish. But, for me, Kolkata is never complete without the influence of my favourite poet, author, lyricist and philosopher. The Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.

Like most Bengali kids of Kolkata, very early in life I was introduced to the phenomenon called Rabindranath Tagore. Those who personally knows me would agree that I am not much of a believer. And I had this trait from very childhood. With the innumerable Gods and Goddesses in our religion, I found hard to concentrate on one and was left with many queries. But, this very agnostic mind of mine without any doubt started believing that he is a God, in my early days. A sage like, mystical and exotic person, with his long robes and flowing white beard and hair, and moreover with a surname of Thakur, he was for me anything but God. For the uninitiated in Bengali the word Thakur means God, and Tagore in Bengali is also pronounced as Thakur. Some poetic justice that is. 😊

Much later when I realised his mortal existence, it was time to get another shock. My mother, an ardent Rabindra Sangeet singer, would bring out a big fat hardbound book and introduced it to us as the Gitabitan and informed that ALL these songs are written by this human only. ALL! How can that be?

We were already introduced to Sohoj Path by then and was taking baby steps to learn our mother tongue through his works. And I kept wondering how is this humanly possible to write so much. And think about my folly, I didn’t even start reading his main literary works by then. With time I could read the gifts like Golpo guccho, or Katha o Kahini or Sesher Kobita. And still reading new things written by him. It is an infinite world.

Any average Kolkata Bengali household you would find volumes of his creations adorning the book shelves, humming his songs, planning the Dol Jatra(Holi) in Shantiniketan and just revering his thoughts. Through his songs, poems and writings, he covered every aspect of life – love, friendship, courage, challenges, difficulties, education, devotion, everything. So we embrace one of his songs when we are sad, dedicate a Rabindra Sangeet when in love, and dance to his tune when happy. Even our wedding videos have Rabindra Sangeet in the background. One curious fact is I listen to his songs mostly when I am sick. I do not know and can never explain what magic it holds, but, it uplifts me every time. But, I am no Rabindranath expert . I read many of his writings, but honestly not all. And I do not know anyone who can boast that they have read and grasped the universe of Tagore.

But, his greatest gift to us was perhaps his unique thoughts and philosophy. His view on Education is something to be really taken into consideration, especially in this age of the unnatural rat race. To quote him “ The highest education is that which does not merely gives us information but, makes our life in harmony with all existence.”

Tagore is considered as the soul of Bengal. One must know about Tagore in order to know Bengal. He had an indomitable love for God and people. He has written many soul-inspiring, God-oriented songs and poems. Yet he did not believe in any borrowed religion. Religion, for him, was the essence of human being. And that is what sets his thought apart. His view of ideal life was a harmonious relationship among God, human being and nature which has been manifested in many of his creations. Can something be more divine?

The Rabindra Jayanti that is the birthday of this legend, is celebrated with the same vigour, if not more, like many of our religious festival. So the 25th day of the first month of Bengali year, Baisakhi, the city comes together to celebrate the arrival of this creator of many magnum opus with his songs, poems and proses.

This coming 8th May, we may not have that grand celebration as we fight a pandemic, but, we can definitely come together to embrace the philosophy of this great man and make this world a better place to live in.
P.S. when in Kolkata please visit Jorasanko Thakur Bari, the birth place of Rabindranath Tagore.

Note: This Blog is a part of #BlogchatterA2Z challenge