A statue of Rabindranath Tagore in Pandua village in Jagatsinghpur district. Telegraph picture

Paradip, Nov. 12: On the 150th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, the Bard’s legacy has finally drawn the attention of the state government. After remaining in neglect for years, the ancestral village of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore in Jagatsinghpur district’s Erasama block is now poised for a much-needed facelift.

The nondescript Pandua village that still has the rickety ancestral house of the poet was abuzz with excitement as the state culture department officials made a trip to the village on Thursday.

An culture department official said: “The ancestral home of Tagore needs preservation. The state government has decided to protect it for posterity.”

“A detailed project report is being sent to the Union ministry of culture for a facelift of his ancestral house as part of his 150th birth anniversary celebrations. A separate project for the renovation of the Bhubaneswar-based premier auditorium named after Tagore will also be sent to Centre,” said Rabindranath Kar, director of the state culture department.

“We are envisaging a plan to erect a heritage wall at the place where the house is presently lying in a dilapidated condition. The house has virtually collapsed, only its debris remains at the place. We do not therefore find it a feasible option to revive and refurbish the house. A memorial heritage wall at the ancestral home site would be a fitting tribute to the poet,” Kar said.

“There is also a plan to bring up a miniature museum in memory of the poet at Pandua. An amusement park is also being envisaged for visitors and tourists. Villagers have requested the establishment of a dance and music academy at the village. The department would pay attention to the demands of the villagers,” he added.

“The culture department would soon submit a comprehensive project to the Union ministry of culture. As the Union government has taken up various projects to preserve the legacy of the poet across the country on the occasion of his 150th birth anniversary, we are hopeful that Pandua would deservingly be accorded with the central nod for the projects. Besides, the state government is also seeking special grants for renovation of the Rabindra Mandap in Bhubaneswar,” Kar told The Telegraph.

The house was one of Tagore’s most preferred retreats and it was here that the poet had penned his dance drama Chitrangada.

Pandua village was a part of the erstwhile zamindari estate of the Tagore family. Local residents have named the road that connects the village with the highway as Rabindra Sarani.

“We feel proud that our village has a link with one of the great sons of the country. At the same time, we are shocked to see that nobody is bothered to preserve his legacy,” said Surendra Nath Swain, a retired school teacher.

“We have been persistently demanding that the place should be declared a heritage site and measures to refurbish the poet’s house should be taken with immediate effect,” said Sarat Dash, president of the Rabindra Smruti Parishad, a cultural organisation in memory of Tagore.