3 weeks ago
Tagore's Favourite Kalimpong Retreat Gouripur House to Open Soon
There is an old, beautiful house in a mountain town called Kalimpong.
A famous poet named Rabindranath Tagore loved to stay there.
He visited Kalimpong at least three times between 1938 and 1940.
On his 78th birthday in 1938, he read his poem Janmadin there, and it was played on the radio for everyone to hear.
For many years, the house was left alone and became shabby.
Now the government is fixing it up carefully.
Most of the work, like new floors, toilets, roof and paint, is already done.
When the house opens, people can visit it to learn about Tagore and the area's history.
There may even be a museum with things that belonged to the poet.
Gouripur House, a heritage mansion in Kalimpong favoured by Rabindranath Tagore, is being restored and will open to visitors.
About 80 per cent of the refurbishment, funded with roughly ₹2.8 crore, has been completed and the renovation is expected to finish soon.
The restoration is being undertaken by the state PWD, the state heritage commission and the state information and cultural affairs department.
Tagore visited Kalimpong at least three times between 1938 and 1940 and celebrated his 78th birthday at Gouripur House in 1938.
Plans include setting up a museum with Tagore-related artefacts and training local guides on the site's history.
- Who
- Kalimpong district magistrate Kuhuk Bhushan and the state PWD, heritage commission and information and cultural affairs department oversee the restoration of Rabindranath Tagore's retreat Gouripur House.
- What
- Gouripur House, a two-storey heritage mansion built by the zamindars of Gouripur (Mymensingh, Bangladesh), is being restored after being neglected since the early nineties.
- Where
- Upper Cart Road, Ward 18, Kalimpong town, India.
- When
- The renovation is ongoing, about 80 per cent complete, with completion expected soon; Tagore visited Kalimpong between 1938 and 1940.
- Why
- To preserve a historically important structure associated with Tagore and add a cultural dimension to Kalimpong's tourism circuit.
Key facts
- Structure
- Two-storey heritage mansion
- Location
- Upper Cart Road, Ward 18, Kalimpong
- Restoration cost
- Around ₹2.8 crore
- Work completed
- About 80 per cent
- Restoring authorities
- State PWD, state heritage commission, state information and cultural affairs department
- Tagore visits
- At least three times between 1938 and 1940
- 1938 birthday event
- Recited poem Janmadin, broadcast live by All India Radio, Calcutta
- Original builders
- Zamindars of Gouripur, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
Quotes
Kuhuk Bhushan
District magistrate of Kalimpong
“Considering the historical importance of the structure, we have been demanding that it be declared a heritage site and properly restored while retaining its character. The state government’s initiative is appreciable. A heritage restoration will definitely attract more visitors to the site.”
telegraphindia.com
“About 80 per cent of the refurbishment of Gouripur House has been completed. This includes laying floor tiles, upgrading sanitation and toilet facilities, repairing roof sheets and wooden ceiling planks and painting the exterior. We expect the renovation to be completed soon.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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