New Delhi: "Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high, Where knowledge is free...", these were the words said by the famous Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore- the Bengali polymath, who worked as a poet, a writer, a playwright, a composer, a social reformer and a painter. His birth anniversary is on May 7 according to the English calendar, but Bengalis celebrate it on 'Pochishe Baisakh', which falls on May 9, this year.
Known as 'Kobiguru' or 'Biswakobi', Tagore modified Bengali art by rejecting rigid classical forms and defying language conventions. His best-known works include Gitanjali (Song Offerings), Gora (Fair-Faced), and Ghare-Baire (The Home and the World), and his verse, short stories, and novels have been praised for their lyricism, colloquialism, and naturalism. His compositions were chosen as national anthems by two countries: India ("Jana Gana Mana") and Bangladesh ("Amar Shonar Bangla"). Additionally, his work influenced the Sri Lankan national anthem as well.
Tagore left us for the heavenly abode on August 7, 1941, gifting us songs, stories and poems to cherish for generations to come. But, a man named Somanth Bhadra is seen along the streets of Kolkata, still giving passers-by a glimpse of Tagore. With his curly grey hair and long grey beard, this old man looks nothing less than the great Nobel Laureate himself.
Being fond of Rabindra Sangeet since childhood, Bhadra grew up to resemble him in many ways- a popularity that he seems to thoroughly enjoy. Sharing the story of how all these began, Bhadra spoke to ABP Live, over a phone call and said, "Filmstar Mahua Roy Choudhury and her family members happened to be my neighbours and they used to call me 'Young Rabindranath'. At times, I used to grow my beard for occasions like Rabindra Jayanti but then shave later on."
"After becoming a member of Jorashanko Thakur Bari, I started visiting the place every Wednesday. On one occasion, I had grown my beard and was called by one of the guests, who told me not to cut my hair and beard from that day onwards. So, keeping my promise, I never cut my hair or shaved from that day.", continued Bhadra.
Being a lookalike of Tagore, Bhadra is often invited to inaugurate events and also to Jorashanko Thakur Bari to watch the cultural programme held on the occasion of Tagore's birth anniversary. He is also at times called for shoots to play Tagore's character owing to his stark resemblance.
"Today, when people see me on the streets, they say 'Look, Rabindranath is going'. They also call me 'Rabi Dadu' and say that you are a form of Tagore who is there with us today. Growing my hair and beard gave me a new identity and I have worked in some films as well, where I played Tagore's character.", he further went on to say.
Though famous for his looks, Bhadra admitted that he can't sing like Tagore, but he told that he too writes poems and stories which people tell him to publish. Narrating some fun incidents, he added that at times people click selfies with him, or play with his beard and hair. But, Bhadra seems to enjoy it all.
Speaking of Tagore, this year it will be the 162nd birth anniversary of 'Bhanusimha', a pen name under which Tagore used to write at times. Jorashanko Thakur Bari is all set to organize a cultural programme and other small sessions in his honour that can be attended by anyone. Apart from that, another programme is being organized at Science City Auditorium.