Ladies of Kolkata

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">The ladies from ''Prangan'' break my heart (and a tough heart it is, to break) each time they visit me. Why so? Because in a world driven by greed and ambition, here is a bunch of sincere (and frankly, adorable) women, who care so deeply about preserving at least one small, but significant part of their cultural heritage, they are willing to give up a lot to gain very little (in terms of financial returns and recognition).<br /><br />For over two decades, they''ve been struggling to keep Rabindra Sangeet alive and kicking in an alien city (Mumbai) which is now their home.Who cares about Rabindra Sangeet anymore, when there''s <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">''Kaanta laga</span>'' and <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">''Aisa jadu</span>'' to tease and tantalise us? Well, guess what? Some dedicated lovers of that genre of music do care. In fact, they care enough to invest hours of their time and much effort, to take Tagore''s legacy forward. It is largely a labour of love with zero commercial compensation. I was surprised to discover just how far they were willing to go when they discussed a couple of ambitious project they''ve been working on.<br /><br />One has already lost money — it''s a well-produced book titled ''Tagore''s Lineage — Some Glimpses'', which, according to the preface, attempts to offer a "ring-side view, as it were, of the wealth of excellence prevalent amongst the then kinsmen of Rabindranath in all aspects of life." Obtained from private collections, the book is rich with rare unpublished photographs and paintings, culled from the must-dusty cupboards of Prangan''s well-wishers. <br /><br />With all its fine points, the modest print-run of the book shows equally modest sales. Why? Because the ladies don''t know the first thing about book distribution and promotion. And they are too genteel to push or ask!<br /><br />Similarly, their plan to take Rabindra Sangeet overseas later this year remains a plan, due to a paucity of funds — they need just $4,000 more. They are wondering how to meet the shortfall. And while they wonder, I wonder with them.While London''s NRIs don''t mind shelling out big bucks for shows like ''Bollywood Nites'', here are these committed ladies, more than willing to pay their own passage to London, put up with relatives, perform in less-than-glamorous halls, all for the love of Tagore!<br /><br />Where does one find such loyalty these days? Everyone out there is busy hustling. While corporate sponsorship rolls in speedily for fashion shows, beauty pageants and similar tamashas, a worthwhile endeavour like this one gets stuck due to lack of small money. "We will go at our own expense. Our children too. Everyone will perform for free. But a few professionals need to be paid." <br /><br />Hearing the words, I shrank in embarrassment. Similarly, a few weeks ago, a senior Marathi writer whose book launch I had attended told me what she had received by the way of fees from a prominent hotelier for ghost-writing his biography. Shame on the man! He frequently spends five times that amount on a single night of revelry. Forget the money, the poor woman hardly received proper credit for her efforts.<br /><br />This is how it goes. Crassness wins the day. Those engaged in cultural pursuits of the niche kind find the going awfully tough. Prangan is stymied because of a dearth of funds. Yet, those sweet, innocent and trusting ladies refuse to give up. I see determination and hope in their eyes. They don''t know the first thing about networking or schoomzing with the media. They rarely get the coverage they deserve. But does that dampen their spirits? Naah! So long as the lilting strains of Rabindra Sangeet continue to enchant admirers, their mission is complete. You can keep your ''Kaanta laga''. Thank You.</div> </div>