Amazing Calcutta: Eminent Personalities of Bengal-Part-1

Statue of Rabindra Nath Tagore

Calcutta is a place where so many eminent personalities were born and became famous in their respective fields.

Rabindranath Tagore:  who doesn’t know about Rabindranath Tagore in this world? Though he was Bengali and from India; but, he was famous for his poems, Novels, lyrics and good composing of his songs and even also good painter in this world.

 I went to Rabindranath Tagore’s house at Jorasanko of North Calcutta and that is called “Thakurbadi”. This house is now state property; Indian Government has converted this house as a museum of Rabindranath. Here each and every room is telling his story. All usable items of Rabindranath are kept very carefully and neatly.

There is a guide who will help tourists by telling Rabindranath’s life history by showing all items that he would use at his time.

In childhood, Rabindranath was called”Rabi”. The journey to become Rabi to Kabiguru was not easy tusk. In 19th century he was born as 13th child of Maharshi Debendranath Tegor and his mother Sarada Devi. He didn’t go to school at his childhood as he was very much afraid of teachers’ stick. His father arranged his education at home.

Rabindranath was actually Pirali Bramin and they came from Burdwan district. Their actual surname was “Banerjee” and their estate was at Selaidaha of East Bengal, now Bangladesh. At Selaidaha and also in Calcutta, common people would call them “Thakur” and this word was converted gradually as “Tagore”.  Later on, his father changed his religion when he came to touch of Raja Ram Mohan Roy and became “Brahma”. Thus “Maharshi” was added before his name.
Rabindranath Tagore’s father was come to Calcutta to change his luck and then he started his salt business and thus he rapidly became rich.

In the year 1913, he won Noble Prize in Literature for his famous book of poems” Gitanjali”. All poems of this book were translated by Rabindranath himself. At that time he was the first Indian and also Non-English personality who won such prestigious and world famous prize. He was the founder of Viswa Bharati at Santiniketan of Bolepur. Viswa Bharati was his dream and he would think that students from every corner of this world  will come here at take  lesson of Indian Arts and Cultures and spread of these within all.

Painting of Rabindra Nath Tagore-1

Painting of Rabindra Nath Tagore-2

Rabindranath himself is a university and lots of thinks of him were to research like his life style, his poems, his novels, his paintings, his songs, etc. Once Rabindranath told that he will be survived thousands of years within his songs. This is true, generation after generation Rabindra songs have been still practicing by various singers not only of India but also from other countries. It is also noticed that, the singers of Rabindra Sangeet don’t like to sing any other form of songs.

More about Kolkata-3-Shahid Minnar (Monument)

Monument- Kolkata- With Large Ground

Recently the Chief Minister of West Bengal one of the provinces of India has declared that Sahid Minar (Monument) will be decorated by digital light. This is grate! On coming December of this year this lighting work will be completed. But due to insufficient source of energy supply, this lighting show will be conducted on special days like India’s Independent day, Republican day, etc.

The height of the Kolkata- Monument is about 157 ft.  In the year 1828, this beautiful memento was constructed.  It was made and dedicated in the name of Sir David Octerlani who was the Major General of British India Company. Major General Sir David Octerlani won a tough fight against Maratha in the year 1804 and also he won the fight against the Anglo Nepalis.

Mr. J.P.Parker was designed such a wonderful thing Monument. It is situated at the center of the city Kolkata.  The structural style of plinth of this Monument was like Egoists architectural. The pillar or column of this Monument was made by following the Syrian architectural style. The top of this Monument was made by following Turkey architectural style. To reach at the top of this Monument there are 223 stair-steps.

But this is very unfortunate that the total cost of construction of this Monument was nearly fifty lakhs of Indian money and that was forcibly collected from common people by the British Rules of India.

There is a large open ground surrounding of this Monument. There were held various meeting, gathering in earlier days and still the same have been going on. In the year 1931, the famous Bengali Poet Rabindra Nath Tagore had also arranged one meeting and had given his valuable speech addressing to that meeting and had protested strongly against the Hijli Massacre by the British Ruler of India.

Earlier this Monument was open for all and was no need of permission and the view of the entire city are just beautiful and so attracting; but in 1997, one person were jumped from the top of the Monument and died, thereafter, the entry was restricted by the State Government of Bengal. Now only those can enter inside of the Monument with the written permission. 

 In the year 1969, the last left Government was renamed of this historical Monument as “Shahd Minnar” and was dedicated to the freedom fighters of India who were died for the freedom of India.

More About-Kolkata-New Edition: 02

Birla Planetarium

 Birla Planetarium: The shape of this planetarium is round. This one storied building. The style of structure of this planetarium is like Buddhist art of stupa. It is situated just opposite footpath of Victoria Memorial. This planetarium is largest in India and 2nd largest in world. Birla Group is one of the eminent and famous business groups of India. They have built lot of famous establishments in India such this planetarium. There are also another two planetariums in Chennai and Hyderabad.  It is called by the common people “Taramandal”. On 2nd July 1963, this planetarium was inaugurated by the former Prime Minister of India Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. This is an astronomy gallery which contains huge fine paintings. The entire ceiling of the auditorium is specially designed like an umbrella which is full of stars and solar world. This is actually a big space world. The show is generally conducted within 12.00 PM to 7.00 PM and different regional language with Bengali. Huge spectators are come here from various parts of the country and as well as from various parts of the world. This is also another attraction of Kolkata.

Nandan Auditorium: This is a state Government made auditorium. This is build for the  development of film and culture of Kolkata. Many film festivals were held here since opening. In 1980, the former Chief Minister of West Bengal was laid the stone of such auditorium.
 
Rabindra Sadan: This auditorium is situated adjacent to Nadan. On 5th August 1961, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first and former Prime Mister of India was inaugurated this Rabindra Sadan. This auditorium is dedicated in the name of world famous Bengali poet and lyrist Kabiguru Rabindra Nath Tagore. This is also a state of art of Bengal.


Academy of Fine Arts: Academy of Fine Arts was earlier established in the year 1933. Earlier it was a single room within the India museum. Later on in 1950, it was shifted to present place and this was possible for Lady Ranu Mukherjee, former Chief Minister Mr. Bidhan Chandra Roy and the former Prime Minister of India Mr. Jawaharlal Nehru. It is situated on the Cathedral Road of South Kolkata. There are preserved different paintings of famous painters.

Saint Paul’s Cathedral Church: This is an island of attraction of Kolkata. this building was started by the Bishop Daniel Wilson in the year 1839 and the same was completed in the year 1847. This church is made of Gothic Revival style. One British Military engineer Major William Nairm Forbes was designed this church with the assistance of Mr. C.K. Robinson. It’s all windows is made of stained glass.

More About-Kolkata-New Edition: 01

Victoria Memorial

The name of the city- Kolkata is newly changed. Earlier the name of this city was Calcutta. It was the capital of British India. Near about 200 years, India was under the ruling of British Queen. On 15th August 1947, this country became independent.

Victoria Memorial: British Government was ruled in India in the name of Queen Victoria. Victoria Memorial was built by the Indian British ruler as the magnificent monument with the glassy white marble acquiring huge area of land. The most remarkable thing of this Memorial is that at the a revolving statue of angle with Bugle blowing. It moves automatically any of the four sides according to the wind blow. Its indicate the trend of side of wind blow.  This is the one of the attraction of this place. This Victoria Memorial is situated at the center and surrounding this monument, huge green grass covered field, gardens, big pond, etc. it can be suggested a piece of fresh breathing within the busy city. It has two parts, one is the glassy marble made Victoria Memorial Palace and next one is its beautiful gardens with pond and different types of colorful flowers. Inside of the memorial, there is a museum where various and different types mementos of British period are kept for showing to the visitors. There are so many different types of long and high trees surrounding this monument. Earlier, most of the people would come here for morning walk. Then there was no entry fee for the garden are. But now it is implemented due to control unwanted rush and keep the area of this place clean. Now the entry of common people within this area is restricted by time of entry; form garden, the time is 5.30 AM to 7.00PM and Museum entry time is 10.00AM to 6.00PM. The contact number is: +91033-2223 8109. The nearest Airport is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport and airport is just 16 km far from the Victoria Memorial. Hotels which are nearby of this monument of Art, Grand Oberoi, Taj Bengal, these are 5 stars hotels. Other than these hotels, there are many 3 starts and ordinary hotel near this Victoria Memorial.

Elliot Park -Kolkata

Elliot Park: Elliot Park is just behind of Victoria Memorial. This is a public park. This is very beautiful place of freshness and pleasing park in the city. This park is covered by trees, decorated bushes and there is also a beautiful fountain. At the night this fountain looks very beautiful for its different color changing lighting. Here has food stalls. This place is perfect for picnic.

Musical Fountain- Mohor Kunja

Mohor Kunja Park: Earlier it was Citizen’s Park. Thereafter it’s name was change to Mohor Kunja Park. This name was kept in the honor of famous Rabindra Sangeet Singer Kanika Bandyopadhyay. It is also famous for its musical fountains and for musical open stage for singers, dramatists, etc.

Kolkata- The City of History

Victoria Memorial Hall

The history of Kolkata initiated from the year 1690 when the British East India Company came to Bengal . Job Charnak , one of the administrators of this British company first came to Bengal to administrate their business . According to history records , he is the founder of this city . Actually , this city was incorporated of three villages , one is Kalikata , second one is Gobindapur and third one is Sutanuti . These three villages were separate identity like Kalikata was a village of fishing , Sutanuti was weavers who lived on the bank of the Hoogly River and third one is Govindapur , specifically , cannot be known about this village from the history record .

Then India was under the ruling of Mughal Emperor of Delhi . According to the administrative system of the Mughal Emperor , every place of the country were their jagirdari and they would appoint the landowners or zamindars as their jagirdar . These jaigirdars have two works one is control their places administratively and collect revenue from their villagers . After that they would send the major part of the revenue to the Mughal Emperor in due time . Thus , the Zamindar of these three villages was Sabarna Roy Choudhury .

The British East India Company was already taken permission to start their business in India from the Mughal Emperor before came to Kolkata . In 1698 , Job Charnak , the first administrator of that company purchased those three villages from the Zamindar , Sabarna Roy Chowdhury and thus the right of tax revenue collection was transferred to their hand .

Then already another European country , France existed in India for their business . They had reached in India before the British company . According to them India were the place suggested as gold mines . In the year 1712 , the British completed the Fort William that is still having on the east side of the bank of the river Hoogly . They constructed this fort William facing frequent battle with French forces . In the year 1756 , the British company was started to develop their militarization .

Then Siraj-Ud-Daulah was the Nawab of Bengal.He protested against this British militarization and warned them . But the company administrators were ignored that warning , then Nawab attacked them and captured the fort William . After that the Nawab started to kill the British war prisoners . But this win did not stay longer ; Robert Clive , the leader of the British troops was again recaptured the city in 1757 approximately after the serious battle at the field of Plessey of Murshidabad and the city was declared the presidency city .

Thus the new era was started since then ; Kolkata declared as Bengal presidency by the British . Thereafter a new history was created by British after captured the entire country . Bahadur-Sha-Jafar was the last Mughal Emperor probably from whom the ruling stick of India was snatched by the British . Since then , they captured India . After few many years , the ruling of this country was gone in the hand of Queen Elizabeth ; the East India Company was started to work on the lordship of the Queen .

Thus India became the colonial country of British Government . Then their capital was Bengal and in summer time Shimla was their temporary capital . Thus India was the colonial country of the British Government and it was continued next 200 years approximately .