The nation is set to celebrate the 156th birth anniversary of Biswakabi Rabindranath Tagore, who reshaped Bengali literature and music as well as art of Indian subcontinent with contextual modernism, today, reports BSS. On the 25th of Baishakh in 1268 Bengali year, Rabindranath, the fountainhead of Bengali wisdom was born at Jorasanko in Kolkata. Nobody had influenced the minds of so many Bengali-speaking people before or after him. His influence has been compared, by many, to Shakespeare in the English-speaking world.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate message on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore. The government has drawn up massive programmes to celebrate the birthday of Kabiguru. The main programme would be held at Patisar in Naogaon district which carries the memories of Rabindranath. President Abdul Hamid will join the inaugural ceremony as the chief guest at Debendra Manch of Rabindra Katchary Bari at 2.30pm on May 8. Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor will chair the function while Minister for Textile and Jute Imajuddin Pramanik and Naogaon-6 lawmaker Md Israfil Alam will attend it as the special guests. The theme of the birth anniversary celebration of this year is “Religion of Human Beings: Rabindranath and Contemporary Relevance” while essayist-poet Professor Hayat Mamud would deliver memorial speech at the inaugural ceremony. A 30-minute cultural episode under the management of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy would be staged later.
Apart from the main programme, the birth anniversary of the noble laureate legendary Bengali poet would be observed with festivity and enthusiasm in Shilaidaha of Kushtia, Shahjadpur of Sirajganj, Dakshkhindhihi and Pithabhog of Khulna and Dhaka as well. Local administration would organize Rabindra fairs, discussions and cultural programmes. Besides, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy would organize a three-day art exhibition and cultural programmes while Bangla Academy with the association of Dhaka University Fine Arts Faculty would publish souvenir and posters.
Bangla Academy will also organize discussion to mark the day while all educational institutions across the country will celebrate the birthday of Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore. Bangladesh missions abroad would also organize various programmes to mark the day. District administrations with the association of local lawmakers and distinguished personalities will also celebrate the day with due respect. Dhaka University (DU) has also taken various programmes to celebrate the birth anniversary Rabindranath on the campus in a befitting manner.
Marking the day, a key note presentation programme on Rabindranath Tagore and a cultural function will be held at DU Teacher Student Center (TSC) Auditorium at 6 pm. Viswa-Bharati University Professor, also DU “Rabindra Chair” Dr Mahua Mukherjee will address the function as the key speaker with DU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique in the chair. DU Music Department will perform in the cultural function. Bangladesh Shishu Academy will stage a discussion on Rabindranath Tagore, distribution of Shishu Academy Award for Literature 1420 and 1421 (Bengali year) and a cultural function at the academy auditorium at 4 pm.