DHAKA, May 7, 2018 (BSS) – The nation is set to celebrate the 157th birth anniversary of Biswakabi Rabindranath Tagore, who reshaped Bengali literature and music as well as arts of Indian subcontinent with contextual modernism, in a befitting manner across the country tomorrow.
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.
On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Rabindranath, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages today, paying rich tributes to the poet.
In observance of the day, different government, non-government, social and cultural organisations and educational institutions have taken various programmes to celebrate the birth anniversary of Kabiguru.
Bangla Academy has chalked out elaborate programmes, including solo lecture, distribution of Rabindra Award and cultural function. A discussion was also held at Bangla Academy today.
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy will organise a discussion and a cultural function at Jatiya Natya Shala in the city tomorrow evening to celebrate the day.
Channel-i, a private TV channel, will organise a daylong ‘Rabindra Fair’ on its premises here tomorrow.
Besides, the National Museum, Bangladesh Shishu Academy, Rabindra Sangeet Shilpi Sangstha and different cultural organisation also will observe the day through various programmes.
Dhaka University (DU) has also taken various programmes to celebrate the birth anniversary of Rabindranath on the campus. A keynote presentation titled ‘Influence of Shilaidaha on Rabindranath’s Works’ and a cultural function will be held at DU Teacher Student Center (TSC) Auditorium at 5 pm tomorrow.
Prof Dr Atiur Rahman of DU Development Studies Department will address the function as the key speaker with DU Vice-Chancellor Prof Aktaruzzaman in the chair.
Bangladesh Television and other private television channels and Bangladesh Betar will broadcast the inaugural ceremony and other programmes.
Law enforce agencies will provide stringent security vigilance during the celebration of the birthday across the country.
The youngest of thirteen surviving children, Tagore, nicknamed ‘Rabi’, was born on 25th of Bengali month of Boishakh in 1268 (May 7, 1861) in Jorasanko Mansion in Kolkata to Debendranath Tagore and Sarada Devi.
His novels, short stories, songs, dance-dramas, and essays spoke to topics political and personal.
Gitanjali (Song Offerings), Gora (Fair-Faced) and Ghare-Baire (The Home and the World) are his best-known works, and his verse, short stories, and novels were acclaimed-or panned-for their lyricism, colloquialism, naturalism, and unnatural contemplation.
Author of Gitanjali, profoundly sensitive, fresh and beautiful verse, Rabindranath became the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913.
Sometimes referred to as “the Bard of Bengal”, Tagore’s poetic songs were viewed as spiritual and mercurial.
His compositions were chosen by two nations as national anthems: Bangladesh’s Amar Sonar Bangla and India’s Jana Gana Mana. The Sri Lankan national anthem was inspired by his work.
The legendary poet breathed his last at his paternal residence in Kolkata on Sraban 22 of Bangla year 1348 (August 7, 1941).