Eulogising Tagore, Mamata draws inspiration to combat divisive politics in state

It is, as they say, history repeats itself and the historical recurrence has been attributed to repetitive patterns of a given polity, regime, incidents or any two events that bear similarity.

For the argumentative Bengali, politics has its own sanguinary history and of course, its own legacy. For those who come from outside, all deliberations stop at a theme and a way of life that has been associated with Bengal and its people for ages — Rabindranath Tagore. For every mood and every occasion, Bengal has Tagore. His songs, poems, stories and compilations have proved timeless and not only for argument's sake, he has truly transcended generations.

At a time when systematic efforts are being made to destabilise communal harmony in the state, the Bengal government has taken a different narrative. And yes, fortunately for us, the others who are trying to create the imbalance do not have Tagore.

Banglar maati Banglar jol, Banglar Baayu Banglar phol; Punnyo hauk, punnyo hauk, punnya hauk, hey bhogoban!

Tagore wrote this song during the Swadeshi Movement that was launched against Lord Curzon's proposal to partition Bengal for administrative purposes in 1905.

Another masterpiece Bidhir Badhan Katbe by Gurudev was extremely popular and interestingly, these songs still inspire people even after a century of their composition.

The second song was even used by renowned film director Satyajit Ray in his film Ghare Baire, based on Tagore's novel Char Adhay.

Tagore's birth anniversary is celebrated worldwide on the 25th day of Baisakh, the first month of the Bengali calendar which falls between May 8 and 10. This year, it's on May 9.

On that day, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will inaugurate a programme to observe the 156th birth anniversary of the poet at Cathedral Road. On the invitation cards of this event, two of Tagore's famous compositions have been printed — "Banglar mati, Banglar jol" and "Bidhir Badhan Katbe." Both are included in the Gitabitan and are popular Rabindra Sangeet songs as well. And the purpose — both evokes a serious sense of patriotism and eulogizes the history, culture, bonding and togetherness of Bengalis in the wake of their struggle to put up a united fight against the divisive forces of the British Raj. While "Banglar Mati" is the 20th poem in the chapter titled "Swadesh" in Gitabitan, "Bidhir badhan katbe" is the 44th one. Tagore had written 46 poems which were sung as songs between 1902 and 1906. He had himself participated in the procession organised in protest to Curzon's decision to partition Bengal as its main aim was to create a divide between the Hindus and the Muslims. The procession that started from Pasupati Basu's house in north Kolkata ended at a place which was situated opposite Science College on APC Road. Tagore had tied rakhi on the hands of the participants as a gesture of communal harmony. And because of sustained movements, the British were forced to withdraw the proposal to divide Bengal. Mamata Banerjee is known to quote from Tagore's compositions at various public rallies and meetings. Now, she has decided to do the same and start a "movement" of emancipation against divisive politics in Bengal and thus, with Tagore's birthday celebrations, begins her clarion call to break free from gutsy political overtures and uphold the true spirit of Bengal in remaining united and steadfast in fostering communal harmony and peace.

Both are included in the Gitabitan and are popular Rabindra Sangeet songs as well. And the purpose — both evokes a serious sense of patriotism and eulogizes the history, culture, bonding and togetherness of Bengalis in the wake of their struggle to put up a united fight against the divisive forces of the British Raj. While "Banglar Mati" is the 20th poem in the chapter titled "Swadesh" in Gitabitan, "Bidhir badhan katbe" is the 44th one. Tagore had written 46 poems which were sung as songs between 1902 and 1906. He had himself participated in the procession organised in protest to Curzon's decision to partition Bengal as its main aim was to create a divide between the Hindus and the Muslims. The procession that started from Pasupati Basu's house in north Kolkata ended at a place which was situated opposite Science College on APC Road. Tagore had tied rakhi on the hands of the participants as a gesture of communal harmony. And because of sustained movements, the British were forced to withdraw the proposal to divide Bengal. Mamata Banerjee is known to quote from Tagore's compositions at various public rallies and meetings. Now, she has decided to do the same and start a "movement" of emancipation against divisive politics in Bengal and thus, with Tagore's birthday celebrations, begins her clarion call to break free from gutsy political overtures and uphold the true spirit of Bengal in remaining united and steadfast in fostering communal harmony and peace.

The procession that started from Pasupati Basu's house in north Kolkata ended at a place which was situated opposite Science College on APC Road. Tagore had tied rakhi on the hands of the participants as a gesture of communal harmony. And because of sustained movements, the British were forced to withdraw the proposal to divide Bengal. Mamata Banerjee is known to quote from Tagore's compositions at various public rallies and meetings. Now, she has decided to do the same and start a "movement" of emancipation against divisive politics in Bengal and thus, with Tagore's birthday celebrations, begins her clarion call to break free from gutsy political overtures and uphold the true spirit of Bengal in remaining united and steadfast in fostering communal harmony and peace.

. While "Banglar Mati" is the 20th poem in the chapter titled "Swadesh" in Gitabitan, "Bidhir badhan katbe" is the 44th one. Tagore had written 46 poems which were sung as songs between 1902 and 1906. He had himself participated in the procession organised in protest to Curzon's decision to partition Bengal as its main aim was to create a divide between the Hindus and the Muslims. The procession that started from Pasupati Basu's house in north Kolkata ended at a place which was situated opposite Science College on APC Road. Tagore had tied rakhi on the hands of the participants as a gesture of communal harmony. And because of sustained movements, the British were forced to withdraw the proposal to divide Bengal. Mamata Banerjee is known to quote from Tagore's compositions at various public rallies and meetings. Now, she has decided to do the same and start a "movement" of emancipation against divisive politics in Bengal and thus, with Tagore's birthday celebrations, begins her clarion call to break free from gutsy political overtures and uphold the true spirit of Bengal in remaining united and steadfast in fostering communal harmony and peace.

Tagore had tied rakhi on the hands of the participants as a gesture of communal harmony. And because of sustained movements, the British were forced to withdraw the proposal to divide Bengal. Mamata Banerjee is known to quote from Tagore's compositions at various public rallies and meetings. Now, she has decided to do the same and start a "movement" of emancipation against divisive politics in Bengal and thus, with Tagore's birthday celebrations, begins her clarion call to break free from gutsy political overtures and uphold the true spirit of Bengal in remaining united and steadfast in fostering communal harmony and peace.