Letter to Rantuda...wherever he is

Dear Rantuda,

            It's been such a long time that I do not know where to start, but it is only appropriate that I start by asking you about the general welbeing of your family and yourself. Hope you are doing well.
            I am a bit old fashioned when it comes to communication. I believe in writing long letters rather than communicating through emotionless, mechanical scraps on facebook !! Ideally I would have loved to send you a hand written letter by post..maybe someday I will ( it is a dying art you will agree). I am not against technology, just that I feel we dont use technolgy for the right reasons.

           I had desperately tried to get in touch with you over the last so many years but in vain. Looking back at the time we spent together in Konnagar, I am amazed at how ignorant and novice I was back then. I could not understand half the things you used to discuss with me. It was years later that I realised what a profound influence you had on my life and the way I today look at this world. Over the years I have come to appreciate and understand Suman Chatterjee, Pratul, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Pete Seger Bob marley, Che Guevara and others. In many ways you planted the seeds of my political, economic and social consciousness. I remember the free school you and Bappada used to run along with your other friends....  

          I want you to know that you taught me really well. Even though I went on to study Commerce, I fell in love with Maths and Physics and still today whenever I see a book on Physics I do pick it up. What is more important Rantuda, you taught me how to think logically and systematically.

          You will agree that we discussed much more than Physics and Maths. I would like to remember those days like that in ancient Greece, where education was imparted by philosophers to students through series of discussions. I am curious to know what your thoughts are in today's backdrop. Do you still believe in Marx and Lenin and the possibility and efficacy of a classless society? Do you still have faith in the wisdom of the common people to rise in revolt? Does your blood boil when you see injustice? Or have you compromised and given up on the dream as just a campus romance of an intellectually fertile mind?..... Do you still play bridge? Do you still write poetry Rantuda?   

           There are so many things that we need to catch up on. I will eagerly wait for your response and your mail. Till then...

Regards,

Neelav

Memories

I was not born when Mohiner Ghoraguli was formed. My first "Live" experience of MG was at the Calcutta Book Fair ground, listening to Gautamda sing, with just an acoustic guitar, surrounded by a group of young boys and girls all swaying to the rythm like some ancient ritual...it was mesmerizing!! Rupam was there too :) He sang unbridled and with no care in the world attitude and the guitar would pass from one hand to another... I have seen Nochiketa, Anindyo in the same group...somewhat unbelieveable today. But Gautamda brought everyone together on the grass (pun intended). For me it was Woodstock version 2.0!!

I remember when Gautamda passed away in June 1999, a memorial function was organised at the Calcutta University Hall on College street. It had been raining since morning and I remember taking the early morning local train from Rishra to attend the function, unwilling to miss even a fraction of a second of the event. All the old Ghora's were there including Ranjonda who was the Master of Ceremony for the day and Bulada who was overcome with emotion while playing the flute...Bishuda if I remember correctly was there too (apologies if I am mistaken). Gaur khepa was there too and Neel accompanied him with a guitar on a baul song. I was sitting alone in one corner of the hall, soaking up the events and emotions of the day...(a few drops of tears did manage to make its way through).

Just wanted to pen it down so that I dont forget where it had all started.