Three venues celebrate Rabindranath Tagore’s 165th birth anniversary
Bangladesh marked the 165th birth anniversary of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore yesterday through cultural programmes, discussions, music, poetry recitations, and dance performances held across three major venues in Dhaka.
The celebrations were organised by the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, the Bangladesh Rabindra Sangeet Shilpi Sangstha, and the Bishwo Shahitto Kendro.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Speakers and performers at the events reflected on Tagore’s philosophy, the continued relevance of Rabindra thought, and its influence on contemporary society.
Four-day celebration at Shilpakala Academy
The Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy inaugurated its four-day Rabindra Jayanti celebration on Friday afternoon at the National Theatre Hall in Dhaka. Similar programmes are also being held simultaneously in district-level academies across the country.
Among those present at the opening ceremony were Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon, State Minister for Women and Children Affairs and Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin Putul, Bishwo Shahitto Kendro president Abdullah Abu Sayeed, and Shilpakala Academy Director General Sheikh Rezauddin Ahmed.
Speaking at the programme, the information minister said, “Despite the political realities of his time, Rabindranath Tagore possessed remarkable powers of observation. Beyond science and philosophy, he explored the larger world of humanity.”
The cultural segment opened with a chorus performance of Tagore’s iconic song “He Nutan”. The programme later featured solo and group musical performances, dance recitals, and poetry readings.
Several well-known Rabindra Sangeet compositions, including Bhenghechho “Duar Esechho Jyotirmoy”, “Ami Chini Go Chini Tomare”, “Akash Bhora Surjo Tara”, and “Aguner Poroshmoni”, were performed during the event. Tagore’s poem “Nirjharer Swapnabhanga” was also recited.
The second day of the festival will continue on Saturday at the same venue.
Rabindra Sangeet artistes honour Timir Nandi
The Bangladesh Rabindra Sangeet Shilpi Sangstha organised a separate two-day celebration at the Liberation War Museum in Agargaon.
The programme was inaugurated by Ekushey Padak-winning writer Anwara Syed Haq.
During the event, this year’s Kalim Sharafi Award and honour were presented to veteran artiste and Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra contributor Timir Nandi.
Artistes from different parts of the country performed Rabindra Sangeet both individually and in groups. Cultural organisations including Bulbul Lalitakala Academy, Bishwabeena, Uttarayan, and Surteertha took part in the celebration.
Solo performances were presented by artistes including Rafiqul Alam, Laisa Ahmed Lisa, Lily Islam, Piyush Barua, Tanzina Toma, Nirjhar Chowdhury, Azizur Rahman Tuhin, Joyonto Acharya, Mita Dey, and Indrani Karmakar, among others.
The second day of the festival is set to take place today (Saturday).
Discussion at Bishwo Shahitto Kendro
Meanwhile, the Bishwo Shahitto Kendro hosted a discussion and cultural programme titled “Rabindranath and Today’s Bangladesh” at its Banglamotor premises.
Researcher Rajib Sarkar presented the keynote paper, while BRAC University Bangla Language and Literature faculty member Nilima Tabassum and writer-researcher Khandker Swanan Shahriar also spoke at the event.
Rajib Sarkar said, “Rabindranath Tagore, one of the greatest figures in world literature, faced criticism both during his lifetime and afterward. Yet his extraordinary creativity and humanist philosophy have always outshone those criticisms.”
The programme concluded with performances of Tagore’s songs and poetry by artistes including Mustafizur Rahman Turjo, Senjuti Barua, Sofiqul Islam Sohag, Neela Hasan, Israt Jahan Marin, and Hasan Saleh Joy.
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