Tagore’s 164th birth anniversary

Ashraful Islam Joy:

The 164th birth anniversary of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore was observed across the country on Wednesday.

Marking the day, like other parts of the country, Sirajganj district administration in collaboration with upazila administration chalked out a-3-day programme including discussion and cultural function at the Rabindra Kacharibari in Shahzadpur of the district.

The programme was inaugurated by Md. Abdul Khaleque, Secretary of Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT) affairs Ministry, while it was presided over by Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Nazrul Islam.

Md. Faruk Hossain, Superintendent of Police in Sirajganj attended the programme as special guest.

The keynote address was presented by Khairun Nisa, Assistant Professor of the Bangla (Bengali) Department at the Rabindra University.

Mohammad Kamrul Islam, Deputy Director of the Local Government Department and Dr. Rafat Alam, Assistant Professor of the Bangla (Bengali) Department at the Dhaka University took part in discussions over the colorful life of the Rabindranath Tagore and his creations.

The chief guest Abdul Khaleque said, “Rabindranath Tagore, the writer of our national anthem, fell in love with the land and people of Shahzadpur, while managing his family estate here. Though, he passed away, he is still alive to us through his creations. His literary works have created a glorious history across the world.”

Shahzadpur upazila administration sources said, Sirajganj district administration with the support of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, organized several programmes including discussions, recitations, music, and dance performances at Kacharibari, a part of Tagore’s ancestral estate, where he spent significant time and drew deep inspiration for his literary works, marking the day.

According to history, in a letter to his niece Indira Devi, Tagore once wrote, “Here (Shahzadpur) I get the inspiration of writing rather than any other place.”

During his stays, he penned parts of the play Bishorjon, as well as numerous poems and short stories featured in collections such as Sonar Tori, Chitra, Chaitali, Galpaguchchho, Chhinnapatra, Panchabhooter Diary, and Meyeli Chhara.

Researchers have also documented 38 letters written by him from this location.

Visitors from across the country and abroad gathered at the venue to pay tribute to the poet.

Cultural performances will continue on the second and third days of the festival.