Footprints of the Poet

Photos: Darshan Chakma

In 1840, long before the birth of Rabindranath Tagore, Prince Dwarkanath Tagore, grandfather of the poet, bought the zamindari of Shahzadpur, Sirajganj; from Rani Vabani (Rani Vabani is famous as the 'Natorer Rani'). Tagore's grandfather purchased Shahzadpur at a price of Taka 13 and 10 annas, when it was sold off at an auction. Along with the zamindari, he acquired the then Kachharibari (a house which is used to collect tax from the tenant) as well. Prior to that, the indigo planters owned the Kachharibari.

When the jurisdiction was distributed amongst the Tagore brothers, the poet got the responsibility to govern the administration of his father's zamindari. From 1890 to 1897, Rabindranath Tagore, since the age of 29 would stay here to oversee his father's estates. And, this is why; even today, Kachharibari is known as 'Rabindra Kachharibari' although recently it was named the 'Rabindra Memorial Musuem'. An auditorium named 'Rabindra Kachharibari Milonayton' has also been set up at the right side of the museum.

The two storied Rabindra Kachharibari is mainly built and designed in the Indo-European architectural style. On each floor, there are a total of seven rooms with a specious corridor in the northern and southern sides. The garden situated in front of the building creates an eye-catching and fascinating environment for the visitors. The poet decorated his residence with various types of trees. It is said that numerous chirping birds used to awake his literary spirit. 

The museum is filled with the memory of the poet which carries the rich reminder of the Nobel laureate. At the entrance, there is a palanquin with which the poet used to visit the areas under his father's zamindari jurisdiction. Although some of the items of the museum have disappeared over time, there are still a total of 332 archaeological relics including various paintings, memorabilia, furniture and the poet's belongings (shoes, wooden sandals, goggles, piano, different metal objects etc.) that express his rich aesthetic sensibilities.

There are also 20 exceptional and valuable paintings created by Tagore himself, in the museum. Of them, 'Tree', 'Nature' and 'Women' reflect the poet's love for beauty and nature. Apart from these, the museum houses around 3,000 priceless books which could be a good research base for students. Tagore wrote part of his plays Bisarjon, Sonar Tori, Chitra, Kalpana, Chaitali, Golpo-Guchchho and Meyeli Chhara in Shahzadpur. Furthermore, he wrote 38 letters from here. 

The poet had a lot of love for Shahzadpur which is proved in many of his writings. A book named 'Shahzadpure Rabindranath' by Muhammad Ansaruzzaman also describes the poet's love for the nature in Shahzadpur. 

Every year, thousands of fans from home and abroad come to visit this historic place. The museum remains open six days (except on Sundays) a week for the visitors from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm.

In 1969, when the building was almost in a decaying condition, the archaeological department declared it as a 'Preserved Archaeological Site' and made necessary reformations including the rebuilding of the floors.

Every year, in order to celebrate the birth anniversary of the poet, the Sirajganj district administration arranges 'Rabindra Festival' at Rabindra Kachharibari with great zeal and festivity. Tagore's death anniversary is also observed strictly as well as his birthday.