Madhusudan_Das

102 Madhusudan Das :
not speak, but lay very quiet, he did not like the way my father was
breathing very slowly. I found a break in the breathing. I went nearer
and called softly "Dada , are you in any trouble ?" He said "No."
But somehow I felt that it was the last scene. I at once sent for his
friends and doctors. By 10 p.m. the house was full of people. In my
remembrance it was the coldest day. Men were wearing overcoats, but
the Doctor opened all doors for fresh air. "Very slowly and calmly the
great soul was passing away. Rev. E.R.Lazarus asked him "Shall I
pray ?" He gave consent by nodding his head. A prayer was offered.
His favourite hymn was sung.
"I heard the voice of Jesus say
Come unto me and rest.
Lay down thou weary one lay down
Thy head upon my breast."
I was giving him a little water in a teaspoon to drink.
By 1 p.m. on the morning of the 4th of February Madhu Sudan
fell asleep in Jesus. His body lay in state in the marble floored drawing
room for thousands of people to pay their last homage. His body was
carried in a bier in a procession as requested by several of his friends
throughout the town of Cuttack. The cemetery was overcrowded. The
body was covered with flowers and placed in the coffin. From Puri
some friends came and the bier was covered with flowers. Many ladies
took some of those flowers to preserve them in his memory and made
their little children put their head on his feet for his blessings from
heaven. There was a short prayer and then his body was placed in
the coffin. A short service was held. The coffin was gradually lowered
into the grave and covered with earth. Friends threw earth and flowers
and then the whole coffin was buried. Next year a suitable monument,
quite unique, was erected by me. It was unveiled by the last Divisional
Commissioner Mr. E.S.Horney. The Epitaph on the grave of Madhu
Sudan is quite unique. Every 4th February people go to the cemetery
to pay respect to the dead and put flowers. Mr. Homey delivered the
following speech before he unveiled the monument—
"My friends, we meet together today, men and women of all
creeds and ranks and occupations, to do honour to the memory of
one who was a great servant of the people and a great lover of all
classes of people. In a life, devoted to their cause, he strove for the
recognition of his race and country as a nation, as an equal and