Tuesday, May 29, 2012

(video) Rabindranath and Barsha Utsab in Calcutta

Rabindranath became inspired at the success of the Barsha Utsab at Santiniketan this year. He wanted to arrange a programme  similar to that of Santiniketan.He constructed five barsha sangeet on this occasion.
26 Aug - Badala meghe Badala Baje
27 Aug - O Go Aamar Shrabana Megher Kheyatarir Majhi
29 Aug - Timira Abagunthane Badana Taba dhaki
31 Aug - Ei Shrabaner buker bhitar Aagun Ache
2 sept - Megher Kole Kole jay re chale (video)
All the songs of Barsha were published in Bharati in Ashwin issue titled "Barsha-Mangal". Sita Devi wrote;
" Rehearsal  of Barsha Utsab to be held in Calcutta was started in full swing. Oneday I went to look at the rehearsal - I found, "In one room the girls are taking their lesson in songs from Nalini Devi and Arundhati Sarkar and in another room  Rabindranath  is teaching songs to boys. I took my seat in the girls room. After some time the Poet came to this room with the boys. The rehearsal took a different phase. A competitive mind was also developed. After a few days I again went there and saw a huge arrangement . the music team of Santiniketan has appeared, Maharaja of Natore has arrived with his family. There wee also other spectators. Amongst them there were some European and Japanese also. Songs started in the sitting room of Rabindranath. then for want of space, the rehearsal was shifted to the hall of Vichitra. There were many instruments to take part in the rehearsal such as, Piano, Sarengi, Esraj, etc. Once Jagadish Chandra came stayed there for some time.On that day the rehearsal took a final shape.perhaps better than the final show."
A stage was prepared on  the land situated at the back of the house of Vichitra where the programme was held. Dr. Panchanan wrote; " Nandalal Basu and other artists took the direction of the dress and stage management. The stage was prepared by placing four legged wooden cot under the nut tree on which blue cloth sheet was spread."
A 20-page booklet was prepared on this occasion ; Barsha Mangal/6, Dwarakanath Thakurer gali/ Kalikata/ Bhadra 1328/ price 4 annas. At the back of the booklet press-line was given. Kantick Press / 22, Sukia Street, Calcutta / printed and published by Sri Kalachand Dalal.. Seventeen songs were printed in this booklet.
Sita Devi wrote; " On the first day the programme was not appreciable excepting 1/2 songs. The poet's recitation along with Mridanga (one kind of percussion) was very nice though his voice was choked to some extent. The oercormance was better on the second day."
The programme was not liked by the people of non-cooperation movement.