Jibaner Dhrubatara

Author: Shantideb Ghosh
Genre: Atmajibani - Jibani - Smritikatha
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9788172154813
Pages: 176
Weight: 437 grams

Book Description:

In Jibaner Dhrubatara, Shantideb Ghosh recounts his extraordinary journey, a life intertwined with Rabindranath Tagore. Born as Shantimoy, his name was changed by Tagore himself to Shantideb, marking the beginning of a lifelong relationship with the revered guru. From the tender age of six months, Ghosh was welcomed into Shantiniketan, where he became part of the educational and artistic environment created by Rabindranath Tagore.

The book unfolds Shantideb Ghosh’s profound connection with Tagore, who was not only his teacher but also his spiritual guide. The narrative spans his personal memories of growing up in Shantiniketan, his experiences in the Ashram, and his continuous journey to understand Tagore’s artistic and philosophical teachings. This memoir is more than just the story of Shantideb Ghosh's life; it’s an exploration of Rabindranath Tagore through the lens of a devoted disciple.

As he reflects on his own life at the age of 86, Shantideb Ghosh looks back at the invaluable experiences he had with Tagore and shares his pursuit of uncovering Tagore’s essence. The book highlights key aspects of Tagore’s influence, such as his approach to education, his dance, music, and drama, and his vision of human development. This is a profound and personal insight into the life of someone who was not only a witness to history but also a participant in it.

The memoir also provides a rich historical context, with glimpses into the life of Bengal in the early 20th century, the growth of Shantiniketan, and the development of Tagore’s Ashram. The book is a remarkable record of Shantideb Ghosh’s journey, weaving together memories, milestones, and his spiritual quest.

About the Author:

Shantideb Ghosh was born on 24th Baisakh, 1317 Bengali calendar (1909) in Shri Niketan. His father, Kalimon Ghosh, was a prominent nationalist and the architect of Shri Niketan, while his mother, Manorama Devi, played a nurturing role in his early years.

Ghosh was immersed in the artistic traditions of Rabindranath Tagore from a young age. He began his musical education under the guidance of Rabindranath and Dinendranath Tagore and later learned Hindustani classical music from Bhimaraw Shastri. In 1930, he was appointed as a music teacher at Vishwabharati and later became the Director of the Music Bhavan in 1939. He held various key positions throughout his career, becoming the Principal of the Music Bhavan in 1945 and the Professor of Rabindra Sangeet and Dance after Vishwabharati became a central university in 1954.

In addition to his work as a teacher, Ghosh also made significant contributions to Rabindra Natya and Dance Dramas, closely collaborating with Tagore in the performance of his plays. He traveled extensively to South India, Sri Lanka, Bali, and Indonesia to deepen his knowledge of traditional dance forms.

Throughout his life, Ghosh received numerous honors, including the Padma Bhushan in 1984, the Sureshchandra Smriti Anand Puraskar, and Deshikottama from Vishwabharati. He is remembered for his pioneering work in Rabindra Sangeet and his lifelong devotion to Rabindranath Tagore's artistic legacy.