I first came across this person when i was literally a baby and i saw my grandmother worship him, in her puja room along with other gods and goddesses..
And there were two special days when he got this huge food and garland which made me think it was some sort of Puja.
I wondered who this humanlike godly person with flowing white beard and hooked nose is.. and she told me “ini Robi thakur”
Thakur in our language means god.
I clearly made a connection and thought this must be a god.
Then she explained how magical he is, and about his poetry and stories.. and i learnt as a kid that we bengalis can worship art!!
As i grew up my mother read out to me pieces from thick books which seemed like some sort of bible at our home, and i always saw her getting emotional and choking while explaining the meanings which did not make much sense to me then honestly.
So i innocently asked her, why do people like him so much?
My mother answered me as if she had it ready at the tip of her tongue, “he knows us,he knows things about us that even we didn’t know!”
I clearly did not understand what she said.
being the typical-who cares what the old people are saying!!
I went to school- and damn, he was everywhere!
My teacher confessed that she has a crush on him! IMAGINE!!
This boggled me, why does this person have so much impact on us.why cannot bengalis be bengalis without him?
And then i started reading his poetry, sat with maa.
boom!
it was like an erupting volcano.
I was crying. And that is the first time i met him.
In person. In soul.
And i was hooked.
I just wanted to share this little experience about how i was introduced to his art which then lead to a journey all together.
I met him all through out my life, even in fine arts college.
And now at this age, i understand, why maa had teary eyes and choked while reading out those poetry..
He does know us, and he is indeed timeless.
Among many, these lines are my favourite!
এরা সুখের লাগি চাহে প্রেম, প্রেম মেলে না,
শুধু সুখ চলে যায়।
এমনি মায়ার ছলনা।
এরা ভুলে যায়, কারে ছেড়ে কারে চায়।
তাই কেঁদে কাটে নিশি, তাই দহে প্রাণ,
তাই মান অভিমান,
তাই এত হায় হায়।
Happy birthday Robi Thakur.
