Dhaka event celebrates enduring legacy of Tagore and Nazrul

A cultural programme marking the birth anniversaries of Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam, respectively, was held at the Bangladesh National Museum on Wednesday.

Organised by Itihash O Oitijjho Parishad in collaboration with the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre, Cultural School Tapoban, Nrityanchal and bahumatrik.com, the event brought together  academics, cultural personalities and performers for discussions and presentations centred on the legacy of the two literary icons.

Acting High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh Pawankumar Badhe addressed the gathering, saying that Tagore and Nazrul continue to hold a significant place in the cultural consciousness of both Bangladesh and India. He described the enduring admiration for the two poets as an important reflection of the shared cultural heritage between the neighbouring countries.

A dance-musical production titled “Nrityagiti" was among the highlights of the evening. Directed by renowned dancers Shamim Ara Nipa and Shibli Mohammad of Nrityanchal, the performance combined music and dance interpretations of works by Tagore and Nazrul. Artistes performed group choreographies to 14 songs by the two poets.

The programme was attended by Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury as chief guest. The discussion session, chaired by Professor Niranjan Adhikari, featured presentations by Professor Tarik Manzur of University of Dhaka and Professor Ahmed Reza of Jahangirnagar University.

An exhibition showcasing portraits of Tagore and Nazrul, created by more than 100 students from 13 schools in and around Dhaka, was also held as part of the event. Certificates were later distributed among the participating young artists.