In memoriam: Maya Sen

Students of Maya Sen came together to pay tribute to the Rabindrasangeet stalwart at EZCC, nine months after her death. The occasion was her 84th birthday which was celebrated by Anandadhwani, the musical group that she had founded, jointly with EZCC.

“As a tutor she was unparalleled,” said singer Sraboni Sen, “She was my only guru other than my mother (Sumitra Sen). Mayamashi loved children. She gifted me my first Tintin.”

The birthday celebration started with a sloka in chorus. Secretary Jayati Ghosh said this was practically the first time that Sen’s birthday was being celebrated on stage. “Every year we used to gather at Didi’s residence on her birthday. She was like a refuge for us. She provided financial help to many. As a trainer she was incomparable.” Ghosh informed that all books and musical instruments used by her had been handed over to Rabindra Bharati University.

Joint secretary Abhijit Das said: “Didi will remain alive through Anandadhwani. Freedom-fighter Dinesh Gupta was her uncle. Hailing from such a family she was naturally very disciplined and strict, but she was tender at heart.”

Sen had a close association with London Tagorians with which she had organised many programmes. Aparna Gupta, a member the group, said, “Mayadi was associated with us since 1968. Her ears could catch a mistake even from the last row.”

Recitation by Anup Matilal, director of EZCC, was followed by songs by the students. At the end, Tagore’s dance drama Chandalika was staged, choreographed by Odissi dancer Poushali Mukherjee.

Members of BG Morning Walkers’ Association were part of the full house. Dilip Ganguli, Ramkrishna Bhattacharya and Subimal Sen said they had been alerted about the programme by Rina Bhattacharya, a student of Maya Sen who was a member of their association. Gour Das came all the way from the airport area to pay tribute to his guru. “This year we are really missing her presence on her birthday,” he said.

Bharati Kanjilal

Craft at school

The students of St Stephen’s Public School, from nursery to Class III, recently put up an art and craft exhibition at their AE Block premises.

The show was a success both in terms of student participation and the quality of exhibits on display. There were photo frames, penholders and wall hangings made of straw, beads and thermocol. Some had done up cards with thumb prints.

Their inspiration was the school’s art and craft teacher Rini Biswas. “Students enjoy art and craft classes more than studies, music and dance. They’re very creative,” she said.

“I don’t like studies but I love painting,” smiled Prerona Pal, a student of Class III who had come first in the drawing competition.

The school, which came into being in January 2011, has classes from pre-primary to Class IV.

“We use play and learn methods to teach. Unless the activities are interesting students would never want to come to school,” said principal Madhumita Guha.