BANGALORE: One of the oldest landmarks in the city, the Suchitra Cinema and Cultural Academy is paying homage to Rabindranath Tagore on the occasion of his 151st birthday by screening legendary film director Satyajit Ray’s movies. On Monday evening, the Academy screened Ray’s documentary ‘Rabindranath Tagore’. The screening of the movie was preceded by a Rabindra Sangeet recital by Madhushree Baral. It consisted of melodious rendition of Tagore’s poetry, which has been developed into a separate category of ‘Sangeet’. Of the 2,000 songs written for the love of Puja (prayer), Prem (love), Prakruthi (nature) and Bichitra (diversity), five songs were sung by Madhushree Baral. Doling out simple tunes from her harmonium, she mesmerized the people in the filled auditorium. Some of the songs included E Pouravashi Robe Se, Aahatoma Shonge Praane Kheila and Phoole Phoole Dhole Dhole. Tagore’s great grandson Dr Sunandan Lala, a scientist, graced the event with his presence. Speaking on the occasion, Sunandan Lala said that he saw Tagore in childhood. He was deeply inspired by him and looked at him with awe, he added. Nevertheless, the great filmmaker Satyajit Ray cannot be forgotten on this occasion, he said, “They are two personalities who changed the socio-cultural and intellectual fabric of West Bengal,” he added.A small talk on Tagore’s personal life by writer and director Prakash Belawadi, revealed interesting facts about Tagore and Ray. “Thirty-two years ago, Satyajit Ray came to this institution and ignited a spark,” he said. This had carried itself forward and turned the film society into what it is today. ‘Charulatha’ is by far his most popular movie that drew a lot of discussion from critics. He went on to talk about Tagore stating, “He didn’t care about Rashtriyatha (nationalism), Desh Prem was what he propagated.” Some controversial details were also revealed. Tagore, who fought against child marriage, got his own daughters Renuka and Madhurilatha married at a very young age. The movie itself traced the journey of Tagore from the age of six till he died at the age of 81 on August 7, 1941. Coming from the town of Jorasanko in Calcutta, Tagore travelled numerous times all over India and across its borders, to England. A man, who hated formal education as it was in schools at that time, he created a gurukul called ‘Shanthiniketan’, where all arts would be taught by the best and in a holistic environment. The movie highlighted the ups and downs in his life — his wedding with Baba Tarini Devi (changed to Mrinalini Devi), his meetings with Mahatma Gandhi, his visits to England, compilation of works like Gitanjali and the release of countless other literary works. A poet, movie maker, composer of three anthems, actor, painter, novelist, playwright, short story writer and music composer, Tagore gave shape to the Bengal Renaissance. It is therefore, important for citizens to learn about his life and of other pioneers like Satyajit Ray.Established in 1971 as a film society, Suchitra is a 40-year-old flagship organisation that will soon be transformed into an ‘island of culture’, according to the Society’s chairman V N Subba Rao.
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