The nation is set to celebrate the 158th birth anniversary of Kabiguru 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 today. 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 on Tuesday, paying rich tributes to the poet.
President Abdul Hamid, in his message, said Rabindranath Tagore is the main symbol of spirit and conscience of Bangalee nation. “He has a unique role in all branches of Bangla literatures. He is one of the best music creators of ours. He is also famous as a painter, social thinker and philosopher. Finally he is one of the main designers of the Bangalee nationalism,” The president added.
Rabindranath drew attention of the world through winning the prestigious Nobel Prize in 1913 for his poetry ‘Gitanjali’, Hamid said, adding he (Rabindranath) was the first non-European, who won the highest recognition in the world of literature. Rabindranath becomes more relevant in the current world as the world is now witnessing fundamentalism, narrowness of nationalism, class discrimination and conflict among nation to nation and religion to religion, he said.
The President hoped the young generation will practice ideology of Rabindranath deeply to realize the world.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, said Rabindranath is the brightest star in world literature. A diversified genius, this time-winning poet has observed the world very profoundly, which has been reflected in his poems, short stories, novels, dramas, essays, travel stories, songs and arts, she added.
The poet of peace and humanity-Rabindranath-was an appreciator of eternal beauty of nature and biodiversity, the Prime Minister said.
She said the works of Rabindranath Tagore inspired all in the anti-British movement and all our democratic movements, including 24-year long independence movement and War of Liberation. His (Rabindranath’s) thought of nationalism is the infinite source of inspiration for the Bangalis, she said, adding that “His poems and songs encouraged the freedom loving Bangalis to fight against the enemies during the War of Liberation in 1971”.
Rabindranath’s works touch our spirit in every crisis, merriment, sadness, hopes and aspirations, Sheikh Hasina said. Referring to the poet’s contributions in improving the living standard of the people of Shilaidah, Shahjadpur and Patisar, the Prime Minister said, “We have established Rabindra University at Shahjadpur in Sirajganj aiming at disseminating the memories of Bishwa Kabi among the new generation”.
Mentioning various literary works of the Nobel laureate poet, Sheikh Hasina said the greatest Bangali of all time and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman conceived the poet’s works as a source of inspiration in materializing the dreams of Bangalee nation into reality. That’s why, she said, the father of the nation took his (Rabindranath’s) immortal poem “Amar Sonar Bangla, Ami Tomai Bhalobasi” as the National Anthem of Bangladesh.
The Prime Minister expressed her firm conviction that the ideals and works of Rabindranath Tagore will always inspire the Bangalees to build an exploitation-free and non-communal Bangladesh.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.
Marking the birth anniversary of Rabindranath, the main programme will be held at the Jatiya Natyashala of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in the city.
Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni is expected to address the inaugural function as the chief guest at 3 pm while State Minister for Cultural affairs K M Khalid will be present as the special guest. Besides, Bangla Academy will organize solo lecture and cultural function and distribute the Rabindra Award at Abdul Karim Sahityabisharad auditorium of the academy at 11 am to mark the day.
Dhaka University (DU) has also taken various programmes to celebrate the birth anniversary of Rabindranath on the campus. A keynote presentation titled ‘Rabindranath in Building Human World’ and a cultural function will be held at DU Teacher Student Center (TSC) Auditorium at 11am. DU Bangla Department Professor Dr Begum Akter Kamal will address the function as the key speaker with DU Vice-Chancellor Professor Aktaruzzaman in the chair.
Bangladesh Television and other private television channels and Bangladesh Betar will air special programmes highlighting the life and works of Rabindranath. 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 Baishakh 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 always speak about political and personal life of people. 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).
