Uma Purkayastha on Rabindranath Tagore’s influence on the indigenous people of Meghalaya
RABINDRANATH TAGORE visited Shillong in 1919, 1923 and 1927. He composed many poems, novels and dramas while in Shillong, and made the Meghalaya capital immortal through his writings.
It is very unfortunate that though Tagore had visited Shillong thrice, he was not given proper opportunity to know the indigenous people of Shillong. But he was inquisitive about India’s tribal cultures. The primary reason behind his disconnect with locals during his stay was his renunciation of Knighthood to protest the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of April 1918. Most people in Shillong avoided his company lest they offend the British rulers.
Though the city’s indigenous people were not familiar with the Bengali language and could not go through Tagore’s writings, a few took pains to translate his works into Khasi and Garo languages to enable the common people read his literary creations. One of them was Helimon Khongphai, who with the help of Ramakrishna Mission studied in Dhaka and did her graduation from Calcutta University.
A great Tagore lover, she started translating his poems and dramas into Khasi after returning home in 1939 and joining the Government Girls’ High School as a teacher. With the help of her students, she staged her own translation of the drama ‘Lakshmir Pariksha’. She translated many other works of Tagore – ‘Devotar Grash’, ‘Bidai Abhishap’ and ‘Samanya Kshoti’ to name a few – but they could not be published as the manuscripts were not preserved properly.
During Tagore’s birth centenary celebration in 1961, Helimon delivered a valuable speech in Bengali at a public gathering on the Sidhli House complex. The speech was published in Calcutta-based Bengali daily Ananda Bazar Patrika.
Like Helimon, the pioneering translator of Tagore’s work in Garo was Harendra W Marak of Tura. His translation of ‘Gitanjali’ published in March 1966 was a quality work.
Among the noteworthy translators was Esther Nora Lyngdoh. Her 1973 book is titled ‘Ki Khana bad Jingrwai Mylllng Jong U Rabindranath Tagore’. Then Fr H Elias in his book ‘Na Mihngi Sepengi’ presented a brief history of the National Anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’ composed by Tagore and the role played by him during that time. A chapter from this book, ‘Ki Jingrwai La Ka Ri Ha India’, was selected for Khasi MIL of Class 12 by the Meghalaya Board of Education.
In 1984, E Weston Dkhar translated ‘Gitanjali’ under the title, ‘Tange Ka Jingainguh Thang’. Pascal Malngiang also translated ‘Gitanjali’ and published the book titled ‘Ka Gitanjali U Tagore’ in 1988. Another translation of ‘Gitanjali was by S Norindel Roy in 1992.
Renowned singer Chesterfield Khongwir Tagore’s popular song ‘Klanti Armar Kshoma Koro Prabhu’ into ‘Kane Ka Jingthait To Map ia Nga A Blei’ and sang it at a function in Calcutta to a huge applause.
S Rynjah , former deputy registrar of North Eastern Hill University and member of Khasi Authors’ Society, wrote in her essay Tagore’s Ideas and their Impact on Khasi Thought: ‘On reading his works through English translation, I wonder why after so many years, translating them in all the languages especially in Khasi had not been taken up before. The present society needs such writings to read, such sayings to ponder upon. Our politicians need the same for firmly establishing the spirit of integrity, solidarity and nationality in our motherland.’
Tura-based Wilson Marak translated Tagore’s compositions into Garo in 1973. His book ‘Rabindranath Tagore ni Basegimin Golporang Aropoidorang (1973) earned plaudits. DS Rangmuthu, on the other hand translated a book on Rabindranath by Bengali writer Leela Mazumdar into Garo. His book ‘Anchingni Poealsegipa Rabindranath’ also enlightened the Garo people with Tagore’s thought.
Helen Giri, former head of NEHU’s creative arts unit, wrote many thoughtful essays on Tagore and of them ‘Ka Ji ngngeit Niam: Kumno U Tagore U Ong’ stands out. The latest works of translation include SS Sawian’s work in 2011.
History reveals the interaction between Tagore and the tribal society of Shillong started in May 1927 after the Nobel laureate was invited to a Khasi Dance festival. Tagore was immensely impressed and developed a love for the cultures of the indigenous peoples.
Some time ago, NEHU professor Lapynshai Syiem brought out an audio CD on Tagore’s songs in Bengali. The CD titled ‘Amar a Path’ is a great tribute to Tagore from Shillong’s Khasi society. Sylvi Passah, a retired schoolteacher, also translated Tagore song ‘Purano Shei Diner Kotha’ into Hindi.
In her article ‘U Rabindranath Tagore: ‘U Khlue Ba Iai Sah Narn Ka Ri India’, head of NEHU’s Khasi department Streamlet Dkhar described the versatility of the great poet and his contributions to Indan literature and philosophy. She called Tagore the brightest star in the sky of Mother India.
Professor S Lamare said: “Among the educated Khasis, Tagore is a very well known name and those who have read his works in English are full of appreciation for his treatment of theme and the richness of language. At present when youths are turning away from reading unless prescribed in their curriculum, Tagore is perhaps just a name. We hope that with the advancement in mass media, ways will be discovered to place Tagore on the pedestal he deserves to be on. We sincerely hope and pray that, one day, the other important works of Rabindranath Tagore will be translated and be made available in Khasi language.”
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