Dhaka – The 156th birth anniversary of Biswakobi Rabindranath Tagore was observed across the country on Monday– the 25 Baishakh of the Bangla Calendar.
Tagore, who enriched the Bangla language and literature with his astounding talent and merit, was born on May 7, 1861. He composed hundreds of poems, stories and novels to take the literary creations to their zenith. UNB news agency reported
The government and different socio-cultural organisations observed the day with elaborate programmes while President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on this occasion.
This year, the theme of Tagore’s birth anniversary was “Religion of Humankind: Rabindranath and Contemporary Perceptiveness”.
A colourful event was held at the Devendra Mancha of Katcharibari in Patisar under Naogaon district where President Abdul Hamid was present as the chief guest.
President Abdul Hamid on Monday called for establishing a humanitarian and non-communal, poverty- and exploitation-free society imbued with the spirit and ideals of poet Rabindranath Tagore.
He also said Rabindranath had a deep relation as well as fascination with present Bangladesh as he came close to the people of Shahjadpur in Sirajganj, Potisar of Naogaon and Shilaidaha of Kushtia to look after his zamindari.
Cultural Affairs Minister Assaduzzaman Noor was in the chair while Textiles and Jute Minister Emaz Uddin Pramanik, local MP (Naogaon-6) Israfil Alam, acting cultural secretary Mohammad Ibrahim Hossain Khan and Naogaon Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Aminur Rahman, among others, were present on the occasion.
A 30-minute cultural programme was also held after discussion on the life and works of the Nobel laureate poet. Besides, various programmes were held at Shilaidah in Kushtia, South Dighi and Pithabogh in Khulna.
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) organised a programme focusing on the works of Tagore while an exhibition of his paintings was also arranged.
The Cultural Affairs Ministry and Bangla Academy published a commemorative booklet and posters, marking the poet’s birth anniversary.
Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC) will celebrate the anniversary with a lecture on Tagore by Pankaj Saha, poet and TV personality from Kolkata, and Dance Drama Bhanushingher Padabali by Manipuri Dancer Samina Husain Prema and troupe on Friday at Chhayanaut.
