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Remembering Rabindranath at RCC

Fayza Haq
Rabindranath was remembered with an impact on September 26 at the Russian Cultural Centre (RCC). There were interesting discussions, recitations, songs and dances remembering Rabindranath and his contributions to literature and music.
In the discussion that went prior to the cultural programme by Sangeet Bahaban, Spondon and Jiyon Kathi, Zahid Reza Noor of Prothom Alo said, "In 1910 when Tolstoy died, Russia was not aware of the greatness of Rabindranath Tagore. It was in 1913 when Rabindranath won the Nobel Prize that people all over the world got interested in him."
"During the Russian Revolution of 1927 and by 1930 in the days of Stalin, Russians grew to be interested in him and invited him to see Russia and Moscow,” said Reza Noor. "Rabindranath was taken to certain places that he liked. Much later, during Khrushchev's days, the letters that he wrote to people in the subcontinent were printed," he added. "Rabindranath had said that freedom of the mind was needed in the Indian subcontinent as it existed in Russia," said Noor.
Alexander Petrovich Demin, Director of the Russian Cultural Centre said, "When Rabindranath went to Russia 84 years ago, it was a very remarkable event for literature and history. The Union of Soviet Writers was eager to know about Rabindranath, his likes and dislikes. Due to the difficult times during World War I, during 1927 and 1928, this was not easy. People discouraged him to go to Russia, said Demin. Yet the 10 days that he spent in Russia was important as all the litterateurs in Russia clamoured to meet him, Demin added. Rabindranath expressed his regards for the common people in his short stories. In 1986, a documentary film was made of this trip. The Bengali writers residing in Moscow were greatly influenced by his coming to Russia. It was printed how his poems could be accepted as songs, said Alexander Demin. The people in Russia, he insisted, had great respect for Rabindranath.
Poet Ahmed Rafique said Rabindranath had a vast change in his outlook after he went to Russia. Rabindranath was amazed how education was given importance in Russia, and he was fascinated by this. The poet laureate was also amazed at how the Russians learnt
in their own language, and not in a borrowed language of their masters as in the subcontinent.
The Nobel Laureate was also a blind follower of co-operatives as is clear through his establishment of the roots of the Krishibank, said Rafique Ahmed. Going by his Swadeshi songs, one was sure of his urge to remove poverty. Rabindranath's discussions on multicultural identity influenced the Muslim youth, said the poet, going by his own feelings at that time. He said Rabindranath believed that nobody had the right to too much of property.
Among the elocution pieces were excerpts from his letters from Moscow.
With harmonium, tabla and keyboard at work, women in grey, mauve, red and white saris sang while the lead singer wore red kurta and stood tall. The group sang "Aguner Porosh Moni" while light zigzagged on the stage giving the event a glamorous touch. A duet was poured on by a fatherdaughter duo, who sang "Chokher Aaloye Dekhey Chilem",
The members of the Russian Cultural Centre, including Mr and Mrs Demin, took active part to make the evening a success.