Hara Kumar Tagore

Hara Kumar Tagore was a leading land owner, philanthropist, Sanskrit scholar, writer and musician from Calcutta. He belonged to the Pathuriaghata branch of the Tagore family.

Life

He was the eldest son of Gopi Mohan Tagore and headed the Pathuriaghata family after demise of his father.
Hara Kumar Tagore, was learned in the Hindu scriptures, Sanskrit and English. He had compiled critically admired books and assisted Radhakanta Deb in compiling Sabdakalpadrum. Further, the noted texts - Haratattva-didhiti, Purashcharana-bodhini and Shila-chakrarthabodhini were composed by him. The last text deals with various types of stones, which are worshiped as symbol of Narayana. Also he authored a manual on procedural matters relating to various Tantric rites, particularly Kali worship.
He was a refined musician with a scholarship in Sanskrit and was composer of noted music.
He was the elder brother of Prasanna Kumar Tagore. Hara Kumar died in 1858; and was succeeded, as head of the Pathuriaghata branch of family, by his eldest son, Maharaja Sir Jatinodro Mohun Tagore. His other two sons were Sir Sourindro Mohun and Shoutindramohan.

Legacy and Contributions

He had built the Shyamnagar Mulajore Kali Bari, along with his brother, Prasanna Kumar, in memory of their father. Furthermore, he had donated generously for the promotion of arts and music.
He had also built a beautiful mansion — the famed Emerald Bower. However, it was later taken over by the Government of West Bengal and became a part of Rabindra Bharati University.
A square in Kolkata has been named in his honor called: Hara Kumar Tagore Square.