Rabindranath Tagore considered himself a global citizen. Though he was a great patriot, he never propagated nationalism because to him, man-made barriers were banal. Where the world has not been broken up into fragments/By narrow domestic walls, he wrote. This is one reason why Tagore transcended Bengal’s borders to become the poet of the humanity.
Though the works of the Bard, who is often mistaken to be the Bengalis’ ‘property’, are mostly in his mother tongue, they have been translated in different languages not only in India but also around the world. The poet and philosopher is highly regarded in western countries and his works are widely read even today. This is because his thoughts are universal and have their origin in the deepest philosophy of life.
Tagore visited Shillong only thrice but his connection with the northeastern town was as deep as his bonding with Bangla (undivided Bengal). This was not only because he found spirituality in the natural abundance here but also he was overwhelmed by the simplicity and humility of the hill tribes. It is the place where the Bard created some of his best works like Shesher Kobita and Raktakarabi. Decades later, many Khasi intellectuals, the most renowned being Helimon Khongphai, translated Tagore’s works into Khasi with the sole intention of expanding the deep philosophy.
During his last visit to Shillong, Tagore stayed in Sidhli House, a sprawling property that stood on Upland Road. The Assam-type house was known by a different name then. It was much later that the house became a royal property and was rechristened. In fact, the house was bought to preserve Tagore’s memories. But over the years, the memories faded and so did Sidhli House.
The historical house (though a few intellectually stunted people think that the house neither had historical nor heritage value) changed hands through a “clandestine deal” in 2010 and was demolished. A government plaque that was put up at the entrance of Sidhli House to commemorate Tagore’s visit was also uprooted.
This came as a shock to the Bengali community in Shillong. “How can someone completely turn a blind eye to the sentiments attached to the house for decades,” was the question that many asked. The answer still remains elusive.
In 2011, a delegation from the Bengali community, which included educationist Uma Purakayastha and activist Naba Bhattacharjee, met the new owner, one Philip Pala. It is worth mentioning that the owner is a close relative of a local political leader, Congress MP Vincent Pala.
The delegation requested the owner to reinstall the plaque and put up a bust of the poet on the premises once the new mansion was built. “We asked him to put up the plaque and the bust in such a way so that they are visible to passers-by,” said Bhattacharjee. “I met Vincent Pala one and a half years ago and he agreed to help,” he added. Little did the delegation know that it was nothing but a hollow assurance.
Rita Ghosh, a member of the Tagore Sesquicentenary Birth Anniversary Celebration Committee, said Pala, while speaking at a public function, had promised that the family of his sister would do the needful.
“We are still awaiting action,” said Purakayastha. However, she admitted that the delegation did not follow up the issue.
Purakayastha added that the Brookside bungalow would have had the same fate like Sidhli House had it not been for a Bengali government official and the then chief minister Purno Agitok Sangma. The bungalow now houses a Tagore memorial.
The Congress MP sounded reluctant when Sunday Shillong asked him about Sidhli House and the promise. “The house belongs to my sister. Yes somebody came to the house I don’t know who. But they entered the house without informing anybody… my sister got annoyed because they did not behave properly,” was his initial reaction.
“But now that you remind me I will speak to her. I had told her we can put it up somewhere outside and make a proper arrangement. I did not follow it up after that. Next week when I come to Shillong I will talk to her. It is a good idea. Thank you for reminding me,” was the quick addition to his quote to the media.
Another round of false promise? If it proves to be that, it won’t be surprising.
When asked for his sister’s number, Pala said she would not like to talk about the issue and reiterated how annoyed she was last time because of the intrusion. When asked about the historical importance of Sidhli House, the MP was tongue in cheek. “There is no historical value. He only visited the house and it did not belong to him. He did not leave behind anything in the house. It is only that the old owner wrote that he had visited… and he has stayed in so many houses…,” he said.
When asked about the sentiments of the Bengali community, Pala said, “The Bengalis, when they sent somebody, then they should behave properly. And these are only sentiments. This was not Rabindranath Tagore’s house. It was somebody else’s house. So they (the Bengalis) should behave properly. They should not go to somebody’s compound and behave like that.”
But had the house had memories of a local poet would it still have met the same fate? Now it was time for the brother (the MP) to get annoyed. “See I told you it was not Rabindranath Tagore’s house. If they had enough sentiments they should have bought the house and preserved the memories,” was his sharp reply.
Maybe the politician had forgotten that the land act in the state does not allow non-tribals to buy house or land, at least not legally. He had also forgotten that the sentiments which were in question should not have been only of Bengalis but of the local populace too because Tagore belonged to all.
But even the Bengalis here seem to have lost enthusiasm to pursue the issue and ensure that at least the plaque is installed. Ghosh said a delegation will again visit Pala to push for the reinstallation. “We are hopeful that the present owners will do justice to revive Tagore’s memory in the mansion,” she adds.
To understand Tagore and his writings and delve into his philosophy, one needs a certain level of intelligence and a great deal of sensitivity. These are qualities that are lacking in the Bard’s countrymen, including Bengalis, in today’s time when money is the measure of power and position. Now, exhibitionism and arrogance overrule Tagore’s philosophy. The palatial building that has replaced the old Assam-type structure and the mammoth gate separating the powerful from the powerless are testimony to this changing time.
~ NM
