The Rabindranath Tagore connection is bringing some foreigners to Shillong but they are disappointed by what they see, says Rajib Roy
STUART ALLAN, a researcher from UK, fails to understand why Shillong is equated with Scotland. But he feels the Scotland of the East is luckier to have had a connection with Rabindranath Tagore.
The Nobel laureate had spent considerable time in Shillong in 1919, 1923 and 1927. Some of his best literary works were conceived or written in the pine city.
Globetrotters on work permits and student grants in India and elsewhere are evincing interest in the places Tagore stayed in Shillong. Along with Spanish friend Sarah Ramos Duran and German acquaintance Jonas Huber, Allan visited Brookside Mansion, Jitbhumi and Sidley House – the houses where Tagore stayed.
“We have been to his memorials across the globe, but we were disappointed by the lack of care for Brookside Mansion,” Suart said. “In UK, Germany and elsewhere, local initiatives with help from India have made such historic structures beautiful. Shillong is closer to Shantiniketan than Europe, and I am sure a little effort can lend these places the touch that is quintessentially Tagore,” said Jonas, a corporate manager. Legal expert Sarah agreed.
The trio however was impressed by the upkeep of Jitbhumi bungalow. They could not enter it but was informed by local residents about the place and works that Tagore undertook during his stay here. “I learnt that Tagore stayed in Jitbhumi when he was ill while his stay was arranged by a Gujarati friend of his in Sidley House. I was sorry not to find the latter,” said Allan.
While Sidley House has been erased from history, Brookside Mansion can be salvaged if made a Rabidra Bhawan. Among those raising this demand is former civil contractor and photographer Ahmed Hossain, who was closely associated with KC Dey, owner of the property, and had constructed the government-run art gallery inside the mansion that also houses the temporary legislative assembly.
“I hope the new government gives Rabindra Bhawan a serious thought,” said Debesh Acharya, former linguistic professor. Pherlita Syiemlieh, keen on studying in Shantiniketan, said redefining the status of Brookside Mansion will help elevate Shillong’s cultural profile.
City-based teacher Rukmini Sen batted for tourists from West Bengal who help Meghalaya earn substantial revenue from tourism. “Tagore-struck European tourists will be few unlike their counterparts from Bengal, and selling Shillong’s Tagore connection should work wonders,” she said.
N Munish Singh, regional officer of Indian Council for Cultural Relations housed in Brookside Mansion admitted the building needed proper overhauling. “But the matter has to be handled by the state government,” he said.
Meanwhile, city based author and researcher M Bisharad’s petition to President Pranab Mukherjee last December has borne fruit. She had apprised the President about the incomplete renovation work of Brookside Mansion. Mukherjee has sought an action taken report from officiating state chief secretary PBO Warjri.
The Centre had a year ago engaged Kolkata-based Raja Ram Mohun Roy Library Foundation’s director KK Banerjee for a detailed report on Brookside Mansion and other historic sites associated with Tagore. The report is with the Union ministry of culture.
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