Construction of multipurpose buildings in full swing

Construction of the multipurpose complex in front of the Shilaidaha Kuthibari in Kushtia, where Rabindranath Tagore lived a part of life, is going on in full swing.

Now there will be two more buildings alongside the picturesque red sprawling building amidst 11 acres of orchards.

The two new buildings will house an amphitheatre, a library, a museum, a 40-room lodging for tourists, and a two-storey cafeteria.

During a recent visit, this correspondent found construction of one building was over while the other one was underway.

Architect Robiul Husain has designed the complex being built on a six-acre plot in front of the mansion in Kumarkhali upazila, some 20 kilometres off Kushtia town.

During his 2013 visit, former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee promised to fund the complex’s construction. “Bangladesh and India share similar cultural legacy, refurbishment of the site will strengthen the bonding,” Pranab had said.     

The local administration then recovered six acres of land from illegal occupiers at the north side of the entrance. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone in 2015.

Local Public Works Department started the construction work in 2018 with Tk13crore granted by the Indian government.

“Even though it is a popular tourist spot, lack of facilities and hassle drove away visitors over time. The new look is expected to draw a greater number of visitors,” said Kushtia Deputy Commissioner Aslam Hossain.

“Given the pace of work, we hope that the site will be completed by this year,” he added.

Mahbubul Alam Hanif, AL lawmaker in Kushtia-3 constituency, said, “I wish to turn Kushtia into a cultural hub. The renovated site will pave way for that.”

“Kuthibari is one of the prime spots that helped Rabindranath to write,” said Ashoke Shah, general secretary of Jatiyo Rabindra Sangeet Sammelan Parishad Kushtia chapter. 

“One has to visit this archaeological site again and again to fully absorb the creations of Rabindranath,” said Mokhlesur Rahman, custodian of Kuthibari.

Tagore stayed intermittently between 1891 and 1901 at the three-storied, pyramid-shaped, terraced bungalow.

Sitting at this country house or on a boat on Padma river, the Nobel laureate wrote a number of masterpieces like “Sonar Tori”, “Chitra”, “Chaitali”, “Kotha O Kahini”, “Kshanika”, most of the poems from “Naibedya” and “Kheya”, and songs from “Gitanjali” and “Gitimalya”.

Many prominent personalities -- scientist Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose, dramatist and music composer DL Roy, and litterateur Promoth Chowdhury, visited Tagore at this location.