Day 22 March SOLSC! #SOL23
10-01-2023
We grew up reading about Rabindranath Tagore. I have read many of his stories which have been translated into English. His Gitanjali which won the Nobel Prize in 1911 was translated to English by himself. I have read it many times and each time it is a different experience.
We were in Shantiniketan from 1st January to 5th. His presence is still felt there. He lived from 1861 to 1941. Aravind’s friend had told us about Jorasanko Thakur Bari, Tagore’s birthplace and home in Kolkata. We were eager to visit the place.
On our way from the Jain temple in the city on the morning of the 10th, we saw some scenes by the sides of the main roads which gave us a small picture of life in big cities. A young woman was sitting near a small shrine under a tree. She must have been feeling at peace there. Some clothes drying in the sun on lines tied to rods on a footpath. When there is no place inside the house people have to adjust. Just outside Jorasanko we saw three ladies and two children enjoying the sun.
Rabindranath Tagore’s home is an immense and beautiful red structure with an old-world charm. It was built in 1785. Photography was not allowed inside. As we climbed the steps to the first floor, Babu told us many details about the place. Here too we felt the presence of Tagore. In each room we learnt something about him and his family. He was born in this house and took his last breath here.
Then we went to the central courtyard. The green coloured windows add more beauty to the house. Babu said he could take a picture of us as a token of our visit. He was well known there. He must have accompanied hundreds of visitors. As we walked out it was like leaving behind the old world and entering the present one.
Rabindranath Tagore’s House | Kolkata City Tours
(to be continued…)
Mukhamani 
I was unable to arrange a trip to Shantiniketan when I was in Kolkata. I much regret this.
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There is a sense of awe and wonder when we enter the home of someone we’ve read or know about. It is always interesting to see where and how they lived and what might have inspired them.
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So precious all this you share!! How wonderful you got to visit Tagore’s home, feel his presence and the old world.
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It must have been fascinating to visit the home of such a famous Indian author. Years ago, we visited the country cottage of Thomas Hardy, fortunately on a very sunny day, as his garden is very pretty.
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Jorasanko Thakur Bari occupies a pride of place in Kolkata, rich in heritage. It must have been fascinating visiting the Nobel Laureate’s ancestral home and have felt his presence.
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Thank you, Lakshmi, I always learn something new from you. I’m not familiar with Tagore, but I just went to my online library system and checked out Songs of Kabir. I’ll see what I think of that book. Do you have any opinions about this
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I have not read Songs of Kabir translated by Tagore. But Kabir is a household name . We had his poems in school and are sung by some classical musicians.
The Kabir festivals are very popular. They take place every year .
http://www.kabirproject.org/events/kabir%20festival%20mumbai
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A fascinating visit
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Nice to read the experience of your visit to Tagoreji’s house – thanks for sharing!!
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