Prof. Sushanta Dattagupta, born on 19th December, 1947, ex-Vice-Chancellor of Visva-Bharati, is a physicist known internationally through nearly 200 research papers and four authoritative books. He has also published a book in Bengali, JE PATH DIYE, and in English, A RANDOM WALK IN SANTINIKETAN ASHRAM and VISVA-BHARATI 1921-2021: A VISION BETRAYED, on his Visva-Bharati experience.
Today’s Interview Session with Prof. Dattagupta, brings out an unusual side of Rabindranath Tagore, popularly known as a Poet and a Lyricist, his interface with Nature and hence Science, through Rabindrasangeet.
Tagore wrote in Viswa-Parichay, a book on Science in Bangla that he authored between 1934-37 that – “Any educated person must enter the arena of Science, if not the core of Science. I am not trained in Science but from the very childhood I had this insatiable appetite for the nectar of Science. “
It is with this background, one ought to approach this session. Tagore brought out deep nuances of Cosmology, Climate and Creation through appealing words contained in Rabindrasangeet. In these days of wartorn world confronted by issues of climate change, Tagore’s songs illustrate profound scientific principles for lay audience who need have only rudimentary exposure to Science.
For me “Alo amar alo” was the biggest takeaway. This Rabindra sangeet is considered to be one of the simplest and easiest to learn of all Tagore songs. It is like a primer for beginners setting out to learn Rabindra sangeet. After listening to your talk I realized the deep meaning hidden in the words of this song. The problem is, those of us who have grown up with Rabindra sangeet, often do not pay attention to the words.
In this talk I could hear Santidev Ghosh’s rendering of the song while you were reading out the translation. I wish we could hear more of the song. And I wish your talk were longer. You have left me wanting for more.