The Nandi house of Chirimarsai was not just an old ancestral home—it was once a vibrant center of education and culture in the area. Widely known as the “Nandi Bari Pathshala,” this institution nurtured countless educated and refined individuals over the years. Many distinguished and respected teachers dedicated themselves to teaching here.
Among the notable members of this family was the late Shukdev Nandi, son of the late Jatindra Nath Nandi, who was a recipient of the President’s Award for teachers. His brother, the late Baldev Nandi, was also a devoted educator. Alongside them, several other respected teachers, such as the late Bhakta Sir and Bhattacharya Sir, carried out the noble responsibility of educating students at this pathshala.
The teaching environment of that time was entirely different from today. Teachers, dressed in traditional dhoti-panjabi, would instruct students with books in hand. If a student showed negligence in studies, the book would sometimes be replaced by a cane or a wooden scale in the teacher’s hand, ensuring discipline and attentiveness among learners. Lessons were conducted in various parts of the house premises—such as the Chandimandap, the Atchala, the room beneath the temple of Shri Shri Radha Madhav, and the open courtyard in front.
Students learned difficult spellings through dictation, recited multiplication tables in rhythm, and practiced the Bengali alphabet with strict discipline and routine. Yet, behind this strictness lay deep affection and care—something rarely seen today. The pathshala was not merely a place for academic learning; it was the first step in shaping young boys and girls into responsible and well-rounded individuals.
Though the physical existence of the pathshala has faded with time, its memories remain vivid. One can still imagine a teacher seated on a chair, while young students sit around with black slates and chalk pencils, writing with full concentration.
Saraswati Puja, in particular, was a day filled with special emotion. All books were offered at the feet of Goddess Saraswati, and young children would begin their educational journey through the sacred ritual of hate khori—writing their first letters with the guidance of their teacher. At one time, almost every child in the locality took their first step into education at this very Nandi house.
With the passage of time, the pathshala no longer exists in its original form. Today, an Anganwadi or mid-day meal school operates there in the morning. Some children from nearby areas still come to study, and a dedicated teacher continues to teach with sincerity. However, the depth of tradition, atmosphere, and emotional connection that once defined the place is no longer quite the same.
Even so, the old pathshala of Nandi Bari lives on—in the memories of the elderly members of the family, in the hearts of former teachers, and in the invaluable life experiences of those who once studied there. It was not just a school; it was a reflection of an era—where education, discipline, affection, and culture blended together to create a truly unique heritage.
Among the notable members of this family was the late Shukdev Nandi, son of the late Jatindra Nath Nandi, who was a recipient of the President’s Award for teachers. His brother, the late Baldev Nandi, was also a devoted educator. Alongside them, several other respected teachers, such as the late Bhakta Sir and Bhattacharya Sir, carried out the noble responsibility of educating students at this pathshala.
The teaching environment of that time was entirely different from today. Teachers, dressed in traditional dhoti-panjabi, would instruct students with books in hand. If a student showed negligence in studies, the book would sometimes be replaced by a cane or a wooden scale in the teacher’s hand, ensuring discipline and attentiveness among learners. Lessons were conducted in various parts of the house premises—such as the Chandimandap, the Atchala, the room beneath the temple of Shri Shri Radha Madhav, and the open courtyard in front.
Students learned difficult spellings through dictation, recited multiplication tables in rhythm, and practiced the Bengali alphabet with strict discipline and routine. Yet, behind this strictness lay deep affection and care—something rarely seen today. The pathshala was not merely a place for academic learning; it was the first step in shaping young boys and girls into responsible and well-rounded individuals.
Though the physical existence of the pathshala has faded with time, its memories remain vivid. One can still imagine a teacher seated on a chair, while young students sit around with black slates and chalk pencils, writing with full concentration.
Saraswati Puja, in particular, was a day filled with special emotion. All books were offered at the feet of Goddess Saraswati, and young children would begin their educational journey through the sacred ritual of hate khori—writing their first letters with the guidance of their teacher. At one time, almost every child in the locality took their first step into education at this very Nandi house.
With the passage of time, the pathshala no longer exists in its original form. Today, an Anganwadi or mid-day meal school operates there in the morning. Some children from nearby areas still come to study, and a dedicated teacher continues to teach with sincerity. However, the depth of tradition, atmosphere, and emotional connection that once defined the place is no longer quite the same.
Even so, the old pathshala of Nandi Bari lives on—in the memories of the elderly members of the family, in the hearts of former teachers, and in the invaluable life experiences of those who once studied there. It was not just a school; it was a reflection of an era—where education, discipline, affection, and culture blended together to create a truly unique heritage.
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