Tagore’s 77th death anniversary observed

529

DHAKA, Aug 6, 2018 (BSS) – The nation today observed the 77th death
anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore with elaborate programmes recalling the
great poet who did not leave any human emotion untouched in his works,
especially poems and songs.

As part of the national level observance, Bangla Academy organized a solo
lecture and a cultural function at Abdul Karim Sahitya Bisharad auditorium on
the academy premises this afternoon.

Noted playwright Ataur Rahman delivered the lecture on “Relevance of
Rabindranath’s Creativity in the Current World” while Acting Director General
of Bangla Academy Anwar Hossain delivered the welcome speech.

National Professor and President of the Academy Professor Emeritus
Anisuzzaman presided over the function.

Later, artistes of Raktakarabi performed Rabindra Sangeet on the occasion.

Besides, Shilpakala Academy, Chhayanaut, National Museum and Shishu
Academy also drew up different programmes marking the day.

The youngest of thirteen surviving children, Tagore, nicknamed “Rabi”, was
born on 25th of Bengali month of Baishakh 1268 (May 7, 1861) in the Jorasanko
mansion in Calcutta to Debendranath Tagore and Sarada Devi.

Tagore modernized Bengali art by spurning rigid classical forms and
resisting linguistic strictures.

In his long seven decades of endeavors in different genres of Bangla
literature, the great poet enriched the Bangla language and literature and
elevated their positions in the global arena.

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 and its “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 Shonar Bangla and India’s Jana Gana Mana. The Sri Lankan
national anthem was inspired by his work.