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: 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.

Visible Places of Kolkata

Rickshaw Puller

Kolkata is a most decent place to visit . Since from the British raj , Kolkata is the prime centre of discussion of the country India . It is always highlighted by the other countries of the world . Kolkata was always advanced in culture , education and sociological development since from the British raj . British administrators were very much keen on this Kolkata as it was their capital . Thus one myth was very popular with the country that "what Calcutta thinks today , India thinks tomorrow".

Kolkata- the name of the city was given very shortly , just few years ago . Earlier it was known as Calcutta . Calcutta itself has a big history that I wrote in my earlier blog , "Kolkata- the city of history".

 
In the field of Art & Culture , first of all , the name of Academy of fine Arts . It is situated at heart of the city . This is one of the oldest fine art societies in the country . It has eight galleries at its ground floor . These eight galleries provide huge space for displaying exhibition single or group of arts of the artists . On the first floor have an extensive museum where has a large collection of various types of arts done by the famous artists of the country .

Birla Academy of Arts & Culture , This is another perceptible place in Kolkata . It is also popular like Academy of fine arts . Birla academy of arts & culture is absolute treasure for arts' fans . Its' all collections of India modern arts are enough to motivate to the new artists . These collections of modern arts are like to inspire the new artists generation after generation . Rabindra Sadan , Rabindra Sadan is an auditorium situated nearby academy of fine arts . It is dedicated to famous Bengali poet , Nobel Prize winner , Sri , Rabindra Nath Tagore . This is not a general auditorium , most of the time , the selected dramas , dance dramas , etc. is taken place . Other than these many functions , group theaters , etc. are also taken place at this auditorium .

Mohar Kunja , This is an open stage for performing various cultural programs , like traditional vocal song program performs by vocal artists , band music programs.

Victoria Memorial Hall , This memorial hall is constructed by earlier British ruler in the name of their Queen Victoria . This is a museum of various portraits , and other things which were used at that time . Surrounding this Victoria Memorial Hall is having beautiful and decorated garden as the cool example of natural beauty .

Nandan is another place of attraction of culture . It is constructed mainly for showing selected , prize winner movies of India and also of the foreign countries . The area of Nandan is also very beautiful and this is divided between two parts , Namdan-1 & Nandan- 2 .

In my coming blogs I will write in brief of other important places of Kolkata .

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 .