Latest news with #AbanindranathTagore
Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
BJP Condemns Trinamool Government Over Demolition Of Renowned Artist's Historic Residence
The Bharatiya Janata Party has launched a scathing attack on West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress following the controversial demolition of celebrated painter Abanindranath Tagore's residence in Santiniketan. The destruction occurred despite explicit orders from the Bolpur Municipal Corporation prohibiting any demolition of the historically significant structure. Abanindranath Tagore, nephew of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore and a pivotal figure in 20th-century Indian art, had lived in the house that became synonymous with his artistic legacy. The residence, located in an area that came to be known as 'Abanpalli' in his honor, held immense cultural and historical significance for the region. BJP IT cell chief and Bengal co-incharge Amit Malviya characterized the demolition as a deliberate assault on India's cultural heritage. He emphasized Abanindranath's contributions as the second Acharya of Visva Bharati and creator of the iconic Bharat Mata painting that helped define India's visual national identity. The controversy stems from a complex sequence of events involving property ownership and administrative oversight. The house was originally built by Alokendranath Tagore, Abanindranath's son, who resided there for several years. The property was subsequently sold by the Tagore family to private parties, who later sought to demolish the structure. When demolition attempts were first made several months ago, the Bolpur Municipal Corporation intervened with a stay order, recognizing the building's historical importance. However, the current property owners proceeded with the demolition on Monday, deliberately ignoring the municipal directive and completing the destruction before authorities could respond effectively. Municipal officials attempted to intervene upon learning of the ongoing demolition, but their efforts proved futile as the damage had already been completed. This sequence of events has raised serious questions about the enforcement of heritage preservation orders and the protection of culturally significant properties in the state. The BJP has seized upon the incident to launch broader criticism of the Mamata Banerjee government's approach to cultural preservation. Malviya's statements connected the demolition to what he characterized as a systematic assault on Hindu cultural identity and Bengali heritage, invoking the legacy of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee and the historical purpose of West Bengal's creation. The political implications of the demolition extend beyond local heritage concerns, with the BJP using the incident to question the Trinamool government's commitment to preserving the state's rich cultural legacy. The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between development pressures and heritage conservation in regions of significant historical importance. This incident has reignited debates about the protection of cultural landmarks and the effectiveness of administrative mechanisms designed to preserve India's artistic and literary heritage. The destruction of Abanindranath Tagore's residence represents not just the loss of a building, but the erasure of a tangible connection to one of India's most influential artistic movements and the broader cultural renaissance associated with the Tagore family legacy.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Authorities to take action for demolition of painter Abanindranath Tagore's heritage house
Kolkata, The administration would take action against those responsible for almost razing down the heritage house of painter Abanindranath Tagore, who played a pivotal role in the Bengal School of Art movement in the 19th century, in Santiniketan. Bolpur Municipality Chairperson Parna Ghosh on Tuesday said that despite a notice served by the civic body on the present owner of the property named 'Awas' not to tinker with the construction in any way, the person engaged a real estate developer and razed down major parts of the building. Santiniketan in West Benganl's Birbhum district comes under the Bolpur Municipality. "We will protect whatever remains of 'Awas' are still there. We will take action against those who went ahead with the demolition ignoring the notice served by the municipality," Ghosh said. Only the gate of the house, with the name 'Awas' inscribed on the still intact boundary wall, remains, according to a video clip of the demolished property, which went viral on social media. Abanindranath, a nephew of Nobel laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore, used to stay in 'Awas' during his stay in Santiniketan. The house was built at Santiniketan's Aban Pally, named after the painter who was appointed the second 'Acharya' of Visva Bharati university in 1942 after the death of Tagore in 1941. Visva-Bharati, set up by Tagore in 1921, was declared a central university and an institution of national importance by an Act of Parliament in 1951. 'Awas' changed hands afterwards. Former acting vice-chancellor of Visva Bharati and ashramite Sabujkali Sen expressed dismay over the incident. "We are saddened that a house associated with the memory of Abanindranath Tagore - and retaining certain unique features reflecting his works - has been mostly razed down. A part of history and heritage is thereby gone," she said. Education Minister Bratya Basu, when told about the demolition of 'Awas', said he did not have much knowledge about the development. "Abanindranath Tagore is our national pride. I am happy several of the houses - associated with his memory - are being preserved and maintained elsewhere. This includes a property in Konnagar, in Hooghly district which is being preserved by the local municipality,' said Basu who is also a theatre personality. Abanindranath is also known for "Bharat Mata" , a painting he created in 1905, representing the nation as a four-armed goddess. He also had a number of books on art to his credit. Besides, the stories he wrote for children were told so picturesquely that it was said, Abanindranath 'writes pictures'. He died in 1951 at the age of 80 years.
India Today
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Exhibition by Richa Jha
Abanindranath Tagore's Khirer Putul in Bangla, published in 1896, is one of the first printed children's books in India for leisure reading. Tagore, his protg Nandalal Bose, Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury (who founded the Bangla children's magazine Sandesh), his son Sukumar Ray and grandson Satyajit Ray were the pioneers of children's book illustrations in India.
