The Eternal Sun

Rabindranath Tagore

Shantiniketan Express left from Howrah Railway Station. I felt like flying in ecstasy for uniting with much awaited holiday and besieged by ineffable delight for the eternal personality through whose expressions I witness a golden tryst with my incipient age. He is Rabindranath Tagore or the Sun with his galore of gleams, we are indebted daily.
                                             “Let my name be known
                                              That I am a man of yours.”

The Bauls

It was my trip to Shantiniketan and travelling through the landscape of wide spread golden fields with busy farmers harvesting their yield made the journey unforgettable indeed. A splash of refreshing wind, swept away the last memory of my hackneyed routine. The folk songs of the “Bauls” were a bonus in the train till we reached at Bolpur Station.

Gitanjali museum opposite to the Bolpur railway Station

My Shantiniketan tour began with the museum “Gitanjali” situated exactly opposite to the Bolpur Railway Station. I was like experiencing the life portrayal of Rabindranath Tagore in their interminable collection and decent display of rare photos, furniture of the great poet or his family, rail coach on which Rabindranath Tagore once travelled. It was a rare opportunity to ensemble the gallery that framed many colours and numerous shades of life of the great litterateur.
Now for the pivotal attraction, we headed for Shantiniketan or the abode of peace where we went through series of houses, garden, artworks, and finally it was the museum of the god of literature. I felt the hefty waves with roaring sound were rising in my heart and sometime was feeling like standing at the shore of an ocean that colour our emotions, enrich our existence, rejuvenate our soul and a constant source of inspiration in our daily life. It was indeed the most valuable experience for my entire life time, revisiting my affection towards him. I bent down to shower my deepest respect for the great man, through whose eyes we began dreaming.

                             Where words come out from the depth of truth;
                      Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection;
                                      Where the clear stream of reason
                      has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit;

Prayer hall at Shantiniketan

In the World of Handicrafts

The spectacular Sun set, through the thicket was so engrossing that, when it was over, I discovered myself amidst a total darkness and the shutters of the handicraft centre of Aamar Kutir were likely to come down. Aamar Kutir Society for Rural Development located very close to the Shantiniketan of Birbhum. The centre was established before Indian independence and was providing a livelihood to several families, directly or indirectly involved with the society. Peeped through the window of the leather batik manufacturing unit and asked for their permission to enter and that was readily granted by the ardent workers who were tirelessly engaged in their work. The efforts of the workers even after a day’s hard work could be seen from their body language and they were not in mood to give up.

The tireless workers of Aamar Kutir,Shantiniketan,Birbhum

The warmth of their welcome was perceptible inside the room also. The arrangements for the leather batik centre, was all open to reveal its explicit techniques that modify a mere piece of leather into exotic handicrafts of glamorous colours.

Colour filling at Aamar Kutir center

The exploration began, to unfold the techniques of leather batik amongst some passionate workers, could not notice us or habituated with the visitors. The complete processes of leather batik comprise of few major steps. The leather pieces pass through the embossing unit where the traditional folk art or ethnic designs were imprinted, then the leather pieces were given specific shape, in the next part colour filling was done on application of some sorts of acid dye, then it was stitched and the finished products were stowed for the market. Unprompted stories or complete process of making of leather batik could be heard from the workers.

through the process at Aamar Kutir Batik center

The finished handicrafts were marketed within the premises and even exported. The manufactured products of diverse ethnic handicrafts were like galore of discriminating colours, from leather to cotton. The Batik of the Birbhum district adored worldwide, representing the ethos and rich heritage of India.

way to the market at aamar Kutir

In Shantiniketan, such small scale industries of handicraft were largely in existence and were even run by the local women from their home. The rural folks were also engaged in the venture and have generated a source of their income.

Batik print on sari,Shantiniketan

In Shantiniketan, I have visited the boutique of an energetic and innately talented old lady, was running her business from home. Her indubitable artistic works and creative ideas were reflected in every piece of her work. The exalting innovative ideas could be seen on design of kantha stitch, batik on cloth, and embroidery works, even the selection of colours, threads or everything were unique.