By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The erstwhile Sidley House, now owned by a Jaintia Hills coal baron, in Upland Road area of the city will adorn a portion of it with a bust, plaque and a visiting arena in memory of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore who stayed here during his third visit in 1927.
This was informed by Uma Purkayastha, a member of the group of Tagore lovers overseeing the restoration of Sidley House plaque that once adorned the frontal of this beautiful Assam type cottage.
Purkayastha said that a bust of Tagore has already been sculpted and will be installed after the construction of the present building. The expenditure towards installation of this bust, plaque and a visiting arena will be entirely borne by the new owner of Sidley House, who happens to be a relative of Shillong MP, Vincent H Pala.
In his third visit to Shillong, Tagore stayed at Sidley House for two months, May-June, 1927. This house was earlier known as Solomon Villa owned by a European D Lanagard and was later purchased by the king of Sidley and renamed it Sidley House.
Tagore’s stay here was arranged by his ardent admirer and an Ahemadabad-based business tycoon Ambalal Sarabhai, who hired this house exclusively for Tagore’s stay. It is here that the Indian poet gave shape to his famous novel “Teen Purush” later known as “Yogayog” and poems – “Susomoy” and “Debdaru”.
Sidley House was among the three buildings in Shillong which is still attached with Tagore’s name and work. The place is most sought after by visiting tourists and local Tagore lovers.
The house was kept intact by the daughter of Sidley’s king till her last days but it was her stepdaughter who sold it allegedly in a clandestine manner since it was always in the limelight for being associated with the memoirs of the Nobel Laureate. The new owner of this house, however, acknowledged that he was not aware about the heritage status of this plot when he bought it and assured the visiting group of Tagore lovers after the historic Sidley House was grounded that he would take all responsibilities to preserve the memories and address the sentiments of the people.
“The erstwhile plaque is preserved in a safe place and after the construction of the new house the plaque and bust will be installed at a suitable place as per the choice of the group,” said Purkayastha.