The overlooked Rabindra Kachharibari in Shahzadpur

Furniture and other memorabilia at Rabindra Memorial Museum. And The dilapidated Kachharibari in Shahzadpur. Photo: STAR

The Rabindra Kachharibari in Shahzadpur and the memorabilia it houses are in a shabby state. Preservation, funds and staff are desperately needed, the locals say.
Though the memorabilia of the Tagore family, including dishes, tubs, hookahs, seals, shoes, khadam (wooden sandals), water filter, bedstead, piano, sofa, spectacles, palanquin, harmonium, vessels and rare photographs have been preserved at the Rabindra Memorial Museum, these are in risk of being damaged gradually due to lack of proper maintenance, sources said.
The musical instruments like harmonium and piano are already somewhat damaged. The sofa and palanquin have been infested with bugs. The metal dishes look rusty and the rare photos are becoming blurry. Many books and important papers have become dusty.
Sources at the local department of archaeology said that, they are facing shortage of funds and manpower.
If necessary funds and staff are provided, the memorabilia can be properly preserved. Besides, a library for research, a guesthouse and a parking lot for the visitors are also needed, sources said.
Woes of the Kachharibari do not end here. Huge cracks have developed in parts of the building. The Kachhari-bari urgently needs renovation.
Nahid Sultana, custodian of the museum told The Daily Star that, many visitors come to the Kachharibari every day but the accommodation for them is not satisfactory. There is no guesthouse or toilet in the premises.