By Mizan Rahman
Dhaka
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The Kuthibari house, where Rabindranath Tagore wrote his several novels and short stories, is being renovated on the occasion of his 150th birth anniversary |
The Kuthibari, where the poet spent golden days of his life, is being decorated colourfully under a project spending 2.4mn taka by the cultural affairs ministry, said custodian of Kuthibari, Zahurul Haq.
Efforts are on to preserve the sites and relics, bearing memories of the poet, under the supervision of the Department of Archeology.
The authorities have already taken steps to preserve furniture, doors and windows, chairs and tables used by the Nobel literature laureate and other relics in a museum.
The road in front of the south wall of Kuthibari is being extended and earth-filling is going on to make an open stage and a parking space.
The boundary wall is being made higher while the auditorium was rebuilt at the new place.
Shilu Yasmin, a teacher by profession, who came to see the site, said all the relics in Tagore’s Kachharibari are not being preserved completely.
Covered by polythene sheet, the pieces of furniture have been kept jam-packed in small rooms. The jam-packed copper utensils in showcases are becoming pale.
Only one of the 14 rooms of the Kachharibari has stones on the floor and the rest have been stolen.
Plasters are falling down from the walls of a house named ‘Nilkuthi’ adjacent to the Kachharibari. The history of these old buildings could not be known.
Custodian of the Kuthibari, Zahurul Haq, told newsmen yesterday that the Nilkuthi was used as a revenue collection office in the 1980s. It has now become dilapidated and might collapse anytime.
He said the maintenance of this huge property could not be possible with the existing manpower. Even the office work could not be done properly by this staff, he said, adding that modern technologies should be used for preservation and protection of the decaying memories of the Nobel laureate.
Haque said a large number of people visit the Kachharibari every year and revenue of 5,00,000 taka is earned annually. Revenue earnings could be increased, if new initiatives are taken. The relics could be preserved well with increased manpower, he added.
Rabindra researcher Prof Nasim Uddin Malitha said preparations are going on to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of the poet.
He said many visitors come to Shahzadpur, but there are no adequate facilities for them.
A three-day festival takes place there every year marking the poet’s birth anniversary and thousands of people join the celebrations. But the auditorium in the new building can accommodate only 500 people. An open stage is urgently needed.
Tagore wrote his Sonartori, Chitra, Choitali, Kalpana, some short stories, 38 letters and some essays and play Bisharjan staying there.