‘Sanskriti Express’ chugs into city with Gurudev’s treasures

The long journey of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore comes alive as you walk through the Sanskriti Express that has halted in Ernakulam South Railway station.

Commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of Gurudev, the ‘Sanskriti Express’ chugged into the station on Wednesday. A thematic exhibition on wheels portraying the eventful life of Gurudev will be open to the public from 8 am to 10 pm.

With a total of eight coaches, including five exhibition coaches, this special train is hoarded with the treasures of the past. The air-conditioned coaches are festooned with letters, photographs and paintings of this great Indian connoisseur of art and literature.

The first coach, ‘Jibon Smriti’ showcases the life of Tagore through photographs. Exclusive pictures of young Tagore and his family are on display.  The next, ‘Gitanjali’ depicts his poems and songs. The highlight of this coach is a photograph of the cover page of Tagore’s Nobel prize winning book ‘Gitanjali’ which has been published into 21 different languages.  ‘Jogajog/Muktodhara’, the third coach exhibits his literary works.

Seen here are an array of letters written by Gurudev to eminent people such as Mahatma Gandhi, Leonard Elmhirst, Amiya Chakravarthy and C F Andrews. An interesting photograph of a telegram sent by Mahatma Gandhi greeting Tagore on his birthday is yet another striking exhibit. Photographs of Tagore with towering personalities such as Albert Einstein, Hellen Keller and George Bernard Shaw are also on display. A photograph of his play ‘Daak Ghar’ (post office), staged  in Italy, is also put up.

The fourth coach ‘Chitrarekha’ adorns the paintings of Tagore and other eminent artists The last ‘Smaranika’ displays the final stages of the legend’s life.

A very touching photograph of an empty armchair, used by Tagore, decorated after his death is a noteworthy piece. Apart from the photographs the expo also has handicrafts made in Shanti Niketan for sale.

The expo is truly a reminiscence of the renowned philosopher’s illustrious career and a worthy tribute to the great man. ‘Sanskriti Express’ that arrived here from Kollam will continue its national voyage and proceed to Kozhikode on Friday night.