City remembers Tagore’s short stay, century of influence

Patna: As the nation celebrates the 165th birth anniversary of eminent litterateur Nobel laureate Rabindra Nath Tagore on Thursday, the city of Patna remembers its historical connection with the ‘Bard of Bengal’. Historians provide a vivid account of Tagore’s contribution in influencing and shaping the cultural life of the city through Tagore’s cultural manifestations.As per historical records, Tagore visited Patna with his troupe on March 16 and 17, 1936. He reached Patna by Danapur-Howrah Express train and was received at Patna Junction by Rajendra Prasad, who later became President of India.While he himself stayed as a guest of the legendary lawyer P R Das at his house on Fraser Road, his troupe stayed at the Sultan Palace, the residence of Sir Sultan Ahmad, on Beer Chand Patel Path. Barrister P R Das was the brother of Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das who played an important role in India’s freedom struggle.The house on Fraser Road, where Tagore stayed, was named ‘Shanti Niketan’. The house, presently occupied by some shopkeepers, was known for its Burmese teak staircase. Tagore’s troupe performed the dance drama, “Chitraganda”, in the Elphinstone Theatre, the city’s oldest cinema hall, near Gandhi Maidan.Bihar Sangeet Natak Academy’s former chairman and College of Arts and Crafts’ ex-principal Shankar Ashish Dutt said Tagore was accorded a public reception at the historic Wheeler Senate Hall (now known as Jayaprakash Narayan Hall) on March 17, 1936. Tagore is learnt to have recited a poem from Gitanjali during his reception. The citizens of Patna presented a purse of Rs1,500 to him as their support to Viswa-Bharti University.Patna University ancient Indian history department’s former head Jayadeo Mishra said Rabindra Parishad, a cultural organisation named after Tagore, was established in 1948 which started constructing the present Rabindra Bhawan on Beer Chand Patel Path. In 1957, Indira Devi Choudhary, niece of Tagore, named the musical wing of the Rabindra Bhawan, as Geeta Bhawan, which was started with the purpose of imparting music, especially Rabindra Sangeet and Manipuri dance to the local talents.Today, Rabindra Bhawan happens to be an important theatre of the city where all sorts of cultural activities take place. In 2011, former CM Nitish Kumar inaugurated the renovated theatre of Rabindra Bhawan with its increased sitting capacity (from 650 to 1000). This Bhawan also contains several sculptures, photographs and stamps connected with Tagore in its library. Furthermore, Fraser Road-Dakbungalow Road crossing was renamed Kabiguru Rabindra Chowk in memory of Tagore’s visit to the city, Mishra added.Tagore’s visit and the celebration of his works have made him an important figure in Patna’s intellectual and cultural heritage. They connect Bengali literature with Bihar’s cultural life, said Patna Science College English teacher Sovan Chakraborty.