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That Old Sage of Thakurbadi – ठाकुरबाडि के वृद्ध तपस्वी
वैसे तो उस दिन रास्ते में बड़ी भीड़ थी,
दुकानों में ग्राहकों की होड़ सी लगी थी।
चार पहिया वाहनों की बीच में,
दोपहिया चालक खटमल बने घुस रहे थे।
मैं भी चला जा रहा था बगल के फुटपाथ से,
के अचानक दाई तरफ देखा,
तो समय मानो थम सा गया।
एक बड़े से दरवाजे के पीछे,
कुछ संकरी गली सी बनी थी।
उसके अंत से आ रही थी धुंधली रौशनी।
मानो, कोई दरवाजा खुला हो
और अतीत में जल उठे दिए टिमटिमा रहे हो।
अपने आप चल दिए मेरे पैर उस गली में।
जैसे ही आखरी कदम गली से गुजरा,
और मुड़ते ही अद्भुत नजारा था मेरे सामने!
एक लंबे से बरामदे में,
बड़े तेजस्वी दादा जी थे,
एक लकड़ी की कुर्सी पे बैठे।
चेहरा जाना पहचाना लगता था,
मानो हजार बार कई पोझेस में इनकी तस्वीरें देख चुका हु।
उनसे नजरे तो नहीं हट रही थी,
लेकिन उस मकान की दीवारों का लाल रंग,
और वो हरे दरवाजे, कही उस दृश्य को एक गहराई दे रहे थे।
तभी अचानक से, वो तपस्वी उठ खड़े हुए,
और आसमान के तरफ देखते हुए बोल पड़े,
जदि तोर डाक शुने केउ ना आसे तबे एकला चलो रे….
—
©आदित्य साठे
Introduction with the Old Sage of Thakurbadi
With hindsight, I feel sorry for myself. Before my visit to Kolkata for our Blogchatter retreat, I knew him only as the author of our national anthem, a Nobel laureate and the founder of Shantiniketan. But one of the sessions at our retreat opened my eyes. Dr. Somadatta Mandal, a former faculty at Shantineketan expanded on the whole fabric of life of Gurudev. Subsequent visit to Thakurbadi – Tagore house and museum managed by Rabindra Bharati University proved to be enchanting.
It would be foolish even to think that I know who Rabindranath was and what is his contribution to the world after this one visit. That’s why I will just say, I was introduced to the old sage in the City of Joy and we had a very brief encounter. Yet it had intrigued me so much to know more about him and his times. I am looking forward to learning more about him. Maybe, I will visit him again in his abode at Thakurbadi.
Thanks to Blogchatter for this opportunity!
Here’s my refelction on Banaras from our earlier retreat!
This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’
hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla
in collaboration with Dr. Preeti Chauhan.
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Comments
29 responses to “That Old Sage of Thakurbadi – ठाकुरबाडि के वृद्ध तपस्वी”
Our session in Kolkata intrigued me to visit ThakurBari at once. It was such a memorable day and we all enjoyed it together
Sharing a common experience makes it more valuable!
Thakurbadi… I have yet to know and visit. I’m still in the ‘oblivious’ stage that you were before you visited. Missed the retreat but will surely read more about him to keep myself updated. Thanks.
Being a Bengali it’s a definite matter of Pride that I m from the state that managed to gift a jewel like Rabindranath Tagore…. our very own Gurudev… be it his poems, stories, uponash or Rabindranath Sangeet and much more …. I am happy to say that my upbringing always had the privilege to grow knowing his works. I am really happy to see that our Gurudev even after so many years managed to impress new comers like you with his literary and cultural charm. Thanks for this wonderful expression through your writing ✍ about Rabindranath Tagore. God bless you 🙏 ❤
I also know him as the creator of the national anthem and then there’s Shantiniketan. I would like to visit Thakurbadi, after seeing your post, and I hope to get to Kolkata for a lighter tourist trail. I have only crossed the city for work.
This was the first time I exited the Kolkata airport, till now, it was just another layover for me too!
Beautiful poetry!
I have been reading Rabindranath Tagore’s works and knew some details of his life since I was a child so your words felt magical and I felt a connection with the man. I wonder how spiritually moving the experience of going through his abode must have been. Just beautiful!
We are always learning something new. I visited Thakurbadi a long long time back when we used to like in Calcutta. I would love to visit again. Thank you for the reminder.
Loved how you shared your initial thoughts about Rabindranath Tagore and how your understanding grew. It’s amazing how one encounter can spark such curiosity. I missed the retreat, but will definitely read more about him. Thanks for sharing this experience.
My Hindi is not overly great, and yet, I found myself slowing down so I could read your poem; only for the man, and the man alone. I feel desolate to think he lived and I wasn’t there then to interact with him; or maybe, the residual desire to interact more with him has left me wanting a piece of him even in this birth. Beautifully penned!
I am afraid that even I know very little about Thakurbadi. I missed the retreat and regret it so much. Wish to know more and in detail about it.
What a beautifully written piece, Adi!
Your vivid description of the old sage of Thakurbadi truly captures the essence of the moment. I love how you transported us to that narrow alley and the enchanting atmosphere surrounding Rabindranath Tagore’s abode. It’s fascinating to think about the impact he had on our culture and the world at large. Your reflections on your journey and the newfound appreciation for Tagore’s life and work are inspiring.
I can feel your intrigue and eagerness to explore more about him. Thank you for sharing this heartfelt encounter!
Looking forward to your next visit and the stories that will come from it.
I am glad you also joined me in the journey to that lane. Hope to see you around. on some another journey to some other road…
Reading this took me to the nostalgic lane. I remember reading stories from balhans magazine. Thanks for sharing this
Indeed, even though I was brought up in Kolkata, I still feel I don’t know him enough though Rabindranath Tagore is pervades over the entire city in more ways than one. We learnt his songs and sometimes it made me wonder what made him write such beautiful lines which resonates with one and all.
My understanding and knowledge of Tagore ji is also quite limited. The way you have woven that beautiful poem and then shared about how you gained a deeper understanding of him and his works through the talk and visit to Thakurbadi, makes me wonder so much. Like, do we really know the artists we admire and know about? Don’t they deserve to be much more acknowledged and appreciated, and many such things. Also, it added to my FOMO for having missed another retreat with the Blogchatter community. But definitely you have given me much to think about and a desire to visit Thakurbadi.
We really don’t know much about our artists. I feel us Indians lack in celebrating our greates who are not linked to any ‘ism’/identity. Even with those who are, their celebration is sadly limited to their birth and death anniversaries. We hardly focus on their work and worth.
What a lovely thought and a great visit … I feel no one can ever truly know someone but exploring to understand is a great place to start
I’ve never heard of this place though I know who he is and how he contributed. Will look this up.
What a beautiful experience! The memories of Thakurbadi truly gave you a glimpse into the depths of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore. I’m also eager to learn about his tales. Also, I missed the Blogchatter retreat this year in Kolkata, wish to attend next year for sure.
You were missed too! Hope to see you soon. if you can, do read his travelogues.
A lovely piece, Aditya. Makes me want to visit Kolkata soon, particularly Thakubadi again. Missed the retreat that would have been the perfect opportunity.
Do visit whenever you a chance. You will not regret it for sure.
I envy you for having explored my idol’s residence! I had visited Thakur Badi when I was really young and didn’t understand anything. This was a fantastic retreat for sure!
This poetry with its thought-provoking words did make me think of visiting Kolkata soon. Thank you for sharing about a great poet.
Oh that was a good one, and thanks to google translate for doing me a favor. I’m not sure how accurate the translation gave me but I truly love how it was penned. Great job!
Nice!
I am still to explore the place and Thakurvadi. Certainly I have read much about Rabindranath ji but it still seems it is a long way ahead.
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