Ritu Ranga (the ever changing moods of seasons)


RITU RANGA
Rabindra Nath Tagore

There are six seasons in the Indian calendar, Grishma or summer, Varsha the rainy season, Sharat early autumn, Sheet the winter season and Rituraj Vasanta spring, the king of all seasons.

The artistic and musical genius of Rabindranath Tagore has celebrated the ever changing moods of these seasons in hundreds of poignant and evocative songs. Music and singing came very naturally to Rabindranath: he did not have much formal training in music, but he was, nevertheless, a very talented singer (he once remarked, “I can't remember a time when I could not sing”) and a consummate lyricist.

He always loved to live very close to nature. One of the most creative phases of his life was spent by the bank of the mighty river Padma (now in Bangladesh). He observed nature, and with what delicacy he depicted the seasons of riverine Bengal. The wide skies and open spaces of Santiniketan, where, over a span of 40 years, he experimented with education and gave shape to his dreams, inspired him to compose incredibly beautiful songs on the seasonal cycle.

Ever since Rabindranath's time, it has been a tradition at santiniketan to welcome each season with Rabindra Sangeet and Rabindra-Nritya i.e. dances set to Tagore's songs.

 Ritu Ranga or a cycle of songs and dances celebrating the myriad moods of different seasons. The poet welcomes Boishakh the first month of the Hindu calendar and the harbinger of summer. Let the new year bring with it fiery breath of summer and drive away the decadent and the dead. Let old memories and forgotten melodies vanish, let the tears evaporate in the hot dry winds of summer.

Summer has ended. The poet celebrates the coming of the rains as a festive occasion. Rain is personified as young maiden resplendent and beautiful. Her arrival is heralded by the great roar of thunder, which makes the blue hills tremble and by the poignant cry of the peacock. All the young maiden of the land are enjoyed to prepare themselves for this resplendent guest. She is to be welcomed with great pomp and music. Poets and musicians through the ages have celebrated the coming of the rainy seasons. Let those hundreds of songs be echoed and re-echoed today in the rainsoaked air and wind toasted trees.

Sharat or early autumn is the time for fun and frolic. It is time when golden sunlight and shadow play hide-and-seekwith each other. And white clouds go floating across a clear blue sky. Inebriated by the sunlight, bees forget to suck honey from the flower. The poet refuses to go indoors today. He wants to establish his claim on the wide sky and the whole wide world. Today, the foaming waters and the rushing wind seem to be filled with happiness and laughter. The poet wishes to idle away the whole morning and play upon his flute.

Poush it is the month of harvesting. The fields are swaying with the golden grains. The golden sunshine fills the lap of the earth. It is difficult to stay indoors at this time of the year. The whole world is filled with happiness and joy.
2008 Goa
Spring the king of seasons has arrived at our doors. We should not keep him waiting. We should open the portals of our hearts. The voices of spring can be heard everywhere in the skies, in the forests, the tread of the south wind. But as darkness falls (says the poet), keep your ears ready to hear the footfall of the beautiful lord tells us, sometimes the voices of spring may be filled with uncertainty and expectancy, and a yearning for something intangible. Something only partially grasped, as in the case of the musician who is desperate to know what has inspired such restless strains, so romatic and beautiful, from his. Last but not the least a raas a song  celebrating holi, or the festival of colours (the quintessential spring festival of India). The refrain of this song is at once a popular public celebration and a very personal homage: “Let (Thy) colours touch my heart and all my actions…

In this beautiful environment let’s enjoy the beauty of our nature.
With heartful joy and happiness from

BANANI


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