The Bengal government has decided to renovate Gouripur House, a favourite destination of Rabindranath Tagore in Kalimpong, and will spend Rs 2.7 crore on it.
“The state heritage commission and the state information and cultural affairs department will renovate Gouripur House in Kalimpong. The state PWD will carry out the renovation from next week,” said R. Vimala, the district magistrate of Kalimpong, ahead of Tagore's birth anniversary on Tuesday.
Sources said that consultants of the state heritage commission, architects, and officials of the state PWD last week visited Gouripur House, which is dilapidated now.
Located in ward 18 of Kalimpong town, the building is known for its association with Tagore who visited the place at least thrice between 1938 and 1940. Tagore recited “Janmadin (Birthday)", one of his poems, here on his 78th birthday in 1938. It was broadcast live on the All India Radio.
“The renovation work will be carried out while keeping its old heritage structure intact. The work includes power supply, water connection, fire safety measures and replacement of wooden planks of the old structure. It is a delicate task and will be carried out in phases,” said an official.
The district administration plans to set up a museum at the site by exhibiting the materials used by the Nobel laureate. There are plans to provide training to local guides on the site so that it can develop into a tourist destination.
In Mungpoo, a hamlet in Darjeeling hills which was another favourite with Tagore, preparations have started to celebrate his birth anniversary on Tuesday. The poet had visited Mungpoo four times and penned a number of poems and songs there.
“The Rabindra Smriti Bhavan here is ready after renovation and was opened for visitors in December last year. Because of ongoing maintenance and Covid-19 pandemic, Rabindra Jayanti celebrations had been restricted here for the past couple of years. But there will be celebrations on Tuesday,” said caretaker Sisir Routh.
