Tagore's Ties with Four Manikya Princes of Tripura
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SUREN DEB BARMAN LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE Tagore’s Ties with Four Manikya Princes of Tripura SUREN DEB BARMAN urudev Rabindranath Tagore’s at that time since he felt that the day of such lifelong intimacy with the Maharajas high honour was still far off. This happy Gand other royal dignitaries of the occasion lasted as a happy memory in the erstwhile princely state of Tripura is a mind of Tagore till the end of his eventful historic phenomenon in the realm of Bengali life. culture and literature. The close ties of Maharaja Birchandra was much senior Tagore with Tripura is a subject of to the young poet. But he did not allow the absorbing study as well as an object of barrier of age to stand in the way of their curiosity to the lovers of Tagore. An friendship and gave no occasion to Tagore to interesting fact is that Tagore was always feel the least shy in his presence. Thus the instinctively drawn towards the Maharajas of young poet could easily enjoy the company Tripura because of their intellectual acumen, of the elderly king by entering into serious refined taste for literature, fine arts, music— discussion with him on music, fine arts and in short, their penchant for high culture. Vaishnava literature, though the young poet, Rabindranath first got acquainted with as he confessed, had limited experience in Maharaja Birchandra Manikya Bahadur the areas of their discussion. (1839-1897) through correspondence. The Maharaja extended full assistance Birchandra was in a melancholic mood to Tagore at different times, specially when owing to the sad demise of his beloved the latter began to write his novel, Ràjarshi queen consort, Bhanumati Devi. About this (‘Royal Sage’), on the life of the ancient time he happened to go through ‘Bhagna King of Tripura, Govinda Manikya. At the Hriday’ (‘Broken Heart’) of Rabindranath. instance of Tagore, Birchandra supplied The Maharaja found echoes of his own heart printed Sanskrit extracts from which Tagore in the poem, the central thought of which was able to know the authentic annals of was highly melancholic and sadly sweet. Out Govinda Manikya, who reigned in the 15th of his sense of gratitude, he sent his century. Minister, Radharaman Ghosh, a scholar of Vaishnava literature, to the poet at Jorasanko Tagore’s visit to Tripura with the message that he wanted to bestow Tagore paid a visit to the capital of on young Rabindranath the distinction of the Tripura, Agartala, in 1899 for the first time. best poet. At that time Maharaja Birchandra was no During his lifetime Tagore never forgot more and it was Radhakishore’s regime. The to mention that the arrival of a royal time was spring, the most favourite season representative was a matter of high honour of the poet. The poet was extremely and recognition ever received by him from delighted to find himself amidst the idyllic his own country, though he did not expect it woodlands on the outskirts of Agartala, 34 Bulletin of the Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture January 2018 TAGORE’S TIES WITH FOUR MANIKYA PRINCES OF TRIPURA where the spring festival with Manipuri Rs 30 from the state exchequer. dance recital was arranged in his honour. When Sir J. C. Bose was conducting his The honourable guest was taken by the epoch-making scientific research in London, people of Agartala as the harbinger of the it was Maharaja Radhakishore Manikya who new spring (‘Nava Faguna’). The poet also extended financial help to him for successful derived great pleasure for being given such completion of the research. The Maharaja rare honour and felicitation in the backdrop also donated a handsome amount at the time of ‘Madhavi’ and ‘Palash’ groves, the most of setting up a laboratory for conducting favourite flower plants of the poet. scientific research of Sir J. C. Bose in Radhakishore was highly enamoured of Calcutta. The Maharaja donated Rs 10,000 Tagore’s poetic genius and was also very for the purpose. It was Tagore who interested in the latter’s newly established approached the Maharaja for financial Ashram Vidyalaya at Santiniketan. The assistance to Sir J. C. Bose. Maharaja donated scientific instruments for Rajkumari Anangamohini Devi, sister of the laboratory of the school while he went Radhakishore Manikya, was an eminent there to pay a visit. He not only arranged for poetess of Tripura. She had to her credit sending students from Agartala with three books of poems, namely Kanikà, stipends but also sanctioned an annual grant Shokagànthà and Priti. Shokagànthà based of Rs 1,000 from the very inception of the on the theme of her mental gloom caused by school. the death of her husband was highly Tagore was always interested in the appreciated by Tagore. welfare of the princely state of Tripura, so Maharaja Radhakishore, the great friend much so that even in the selection of of Tagore, died in a motor accident at ministers he was consulted. It may be Benaras in 1909. After his sudden death, mentioned that the appointment of his son, Birendrakishore Manikya (1909- Ramanimohan Chatterjee (a relative of 1923) ascended the throne. Like his father, Tagore family) as a minister was made on he also donated liberally to Tagore’s school his recommendation. Tagore also never at Santiniketan when it was at a formative failed to support the Maharaja’s welfare stage. He also contributed a handsome activities. amount for setting up the hospital building It is a matter of great pride for Tripura at Santiniketan. When the idea of that the great poet made this tiny state introducing Manipuri dance at Santiniketan immortal by writing two famous books, cropped up in Tagore’s mind, he Bisarjan and Ràjarshi, on the reign of approached Birendrakishore for sending a Govinda Manikya. Manipuri dance teacher from Agartala. Radhakishore had profound love and Accordingly, he sent Buddhimanta Singh attraction for Bengali language and who was an expert in both dance and literature and hence he always craved the handicrafts. company of men of letters and at times It is to be mentioned here that gave them rewards. For example, poet Birendrakishore Manikya, the elder brother Hemchandra Bandyopadhyaya was granted of Brajendrakishore (Lalu Karta), had only a monthly pension of Rs 30 by the one or two occasions to meet Tagore. It was benevolent Maharaja when the former Brajendrakishore (the favourite of Tagore), unfortunately became blind. Rai Bahadur whom the poet would call ‘Lalu’ and dearly Dinesh Chandra Sen, the famous historian loved him as his son, who used to keep of Bengali language and literature, also constant and close touch with Tagore. He enjoyed a lifelong monthly pension of used to meet the poet personally and Bulletin of the Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture January 2018 35 SUREN DEB BARMAN corresponded with him throughout his life. Santiniketan at the invitation of Tagore and Maharaja Birendrakishore was enjoyed the hospitality as an honourable succeeded by his son Bikramkishore royal guest. The Maharaja paid visit to the Manikya Bahadur (1923-1947), the last ruler Ashram school and Sangeet Bhavan and of the princely state of Tripura. He was very donated Rs 20,000 for extension of both. modern in his outlook. Like his great In 1941, the birth anniversary of the grandfather, Birchandra Manikya, Bir poet was celebrated with pomp and Bikram was also endowed with a poetic splendour on his reaching the age of eighty. faculty, specially in composing Vaishnava On that occasion Bir Bikram conferred the lyrics and holy songs. title ‘Bharat Bhaskar’ (Sun of India) on In 1926, Rabindranath came to Agartala Tagore. Tagore accepted the honour with at the special invitation of Brajendrakishore deep respect and conveyed the following (Lalu Karta), uncle of Bir Bikram Manikya. message to the Maharaja. ‘Today with It was his seventh and last visit to Agartala. utmost rejoicings I like to articulate that the Kunjaban Palace (now Raj Bhavan) was short horizon of my ripe age has been chosen for his stay. During this visit, he was radiated by the reflected glow of honour given a warm reception by the Kishore bestowed on me by the royal dignitaries of Sahitya Samaj at Umakanta Academy, the the princely state of Tripura. There is one oldest educational institution in the state. In particular reason why I feel delighted today. response to the reception, Tagore delivered a My heart was filled with pride and joy when short speech in his inimitable style, saying I read of the uncommon generosity with that on numerous occasions he had been which the present Maharaja had given honoured at home and abroad, but the shelter to a large number of oppressed and honour received from the native prince was distress-stricken people. Now I can fully unique in his life. appreciate that hereditary royal munificence During his brief stay at Agartala, Tagore has been stamped fruitfully in the mind of had a very busy schedule which included a Bengali people. The time when the great visit to Pratapgarh agricultural farm, glory of the royal family reached its zenith I watching Ràsa dance, meeting King Bir happen to receive the honorific title from the Bikram, and holding discussion on editing hand of the Maharaja of Tripura. Therefore I Ràjmàlà and Gita Chandrodaya. He also deem it to be the brightest moment of my held talks on the preservation of antiquities life.’ such as historic temples, edifices and On 18 June, Maharaja Bir Bikram archaeological relics etc. While passing his presided over the function of Tagore’s birth happy moments at Kunjaban Palace, Tagore anniversary organized by Puri Banga Bhasha composed five songs two of which were Sahitya Parishad and Puri Sangeet about spring.