“Reach high, for stars lie hidden in you. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal.” In honour of Rabindranath Tagore’s 155th birthday, we are taking a trip to Jorasanko Thakurbari in Chitpur, Kolkata. The glorious mansion, popular as one of the most beautiful heritage buildings in the city, was the home Tagore spent his childhood in.
Jorasanko Thakurbari was constructed by Tagore’s grandfather in the 18th century. It got its name from the two ‘Shankar’ or Shiva temples, called Jora Shankar, which can be found near the house. There is also another folklore that says it came from two bamboo (jora) or wooden bridges that spanned a stream nearby.
Jorasanko Thakurbari was converted into a centre for Indian Classical Fine Arts. It also has a splendid museum, known as the Rabindra Bharati Museum, that was established in 1961. The collection of Tagore’s creations makes this museum one of the most popular tourist attractions for people from India, and abroad.
The room where Tagore was born is open to visitors, while cultural programmes are often held at the assembly hall in Jorasanko Thakurbari. Visitors flock to the mansion on days like Tagore’s birthday and his death anniversary, to pay their respects.
The room where Tagore was born is open to visitors, while cultural programmes are often held at the assembly hall in Jorasanko Thakurbari. Visitors flock to the mansion on days like Tagore’s birthday and his death anniversary, to pay their respects.
Renowned as the place that housed many eminent personalities, Jorasanko Thakurbari is regarded as one of the most important centres of social reform, and Bengali literature. Rabindranath Tagore spent his entire childhood, and final days in this house, until he died in 1941.
‘Houses of India’ is our weekly photo-story project, where we discover one home, and its story. Follow us on Instagram @housingindia, and join us on this beautiful journey across the country.
