Hai Rabindranath

 “Bingsho shatabdite Manusher shoker ayu borojor ekbochor” not this was not the line from Rabindranath.It was from the poem of Nazim Hikmat translated by great Subhash Mukherji.Which means in 20^th Century grief for demise for any person lasts  maximum a year. Tagore was obviously greater than Nazim at least.That is why he ruled for 150 years despite of tremendous adversities. Last year all leading political personalities celebrated 150 years his birth.Tagore must have been very happy but did not know this year will be last of his. So Tagore will be terribly upset this year.

Being born in Zamindar family he had exceptional quality of reading mind of people. Nobody has described so nicely about Bengali culture.”Kagaj nere uchcha sware political torko kore,Janale diye poshiche ghore batash jhuru jhur.” This was from Duronto Asha.Which means Bengalis are bent on shouting raising newspapers, never notice in wind of outside entering &giving call to change. This was written during freedom struggle but it is so relevant in today’s world in word and spirit.

During independence Bengalis took leading role to uproot devils of British rule.The unite force was so dangerous that Lord Karjon had to divide Bengal to elongate thir stay in India. India got freedom ultimately much later than anticipated. New political Center in Delhi made sure that Bengalis participation at the power center is minimum. Then came emergency which evolved new sense of upsurge in peoples’ mind. Most interesting incident took place is replacement of Ganashangeet defeating Rabindrashangeet. In every meeting or function these songs replaced our tradition. But Since Bengalis are”Tabla bnaya kolete tene badye bhorpur”- Tagore one thing remained ritual,Bengalis remembered the great man during 25 she boishakh to 22she shraban.

In 2009 after 34 years of left rule a new term took birth in the middle of intellectuals.Which is “Amra” & “Ora” which is “We” and “Them”.Entire Bengal is politicalised nowadays. Everybody thinks they are true flag bearer of Bengali culture. Actual fact is that let it be Bangla Academy,Lokonatya Shakha(Branch),Natya academy or Shangeet academy all office bearers are threatened to lose their positions now. “Amra” feels “Ora” will take over.”Ora” sees an opportunity into it. So Rabindranath is forgotten. Everybody is keen to know the election result first than to remember Rabindranath. Rabindrajayanti comes on 9^th May and election result on 13^th May. In the completion year of 150 year of birth celebration Bengal should have celebrated in Gala way but only few people like me who does not belong to “Amra” or “Ora” will remember him. Others will be busy in anticipation; some of them may learn a few tricks for making bomb to prepare for 13^th..

For the 1^st tme Tagore must be thinking that Lord Kaqrjon did a great job dividing Bengal. At least Rabindranath will be remembered there with due respect. I fear the whole tradition of culture in Bengal is getting spoiled. Politics is getting better of Nationalism. Nobody talks about development but destruction.New Rabindranath can not be found if we do not teach youngsters to respect people who are the pillars of culture.

Rabindranath ,please forgive us.