Organisations under the cultural affairs ministry and private cultural organisations on Thursday organised discussions and cultural programmes across the country to celebrate the 164th anniversary of birth of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, a key and influential figure in Bengali literature.
The cultural affairs ministry launched a three-day programme at Rabindra Kuthibari at Shilaidah under Kumarkhali in Kushtia, which was inaugurated virtually by cultural affairs adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki on Thursday morning.
Professor Mansoor Musa presented a commemorative speech at the event which was chaired by cultural affairs ministry secretary Md Mofidur Rahman. Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy artistes performed at the event.
Bangla Academy at its Syed Waliullah conference room organised an event comprising a seminar, an award-giving ceremony and cultural performances to mark the day.
Bangla Academy director general Mohammad Azam delivered a welcome speech at the event which was chaired by the academy president, Professor Abul Quasem Fazlul Haque.
Professor Syed Azizul Huq presented a speech titled 鈥楻abindranath O Bangavanghar Rajneeti鈥� addressing Rabindranath鈥檚 participation in activism against the first partition of Bengal by the authorities of the British Raj in 1905.
Syed Azizul said that Rabindranath wrote a lot of poems and songs before Bangavanga, but did not support the Swadeshi Movement which encouraged Indians to boycott British goods and promote indigenous products as a means of economic independence.
Abul Quasem said that Rabindranath addressed his political thoughts in many novels, short stories and articles.
鈥楻abindranath wrote his novel Ghore Baire on the Bangavangha, he also spoke in different public events against Bangavangha, but he never supported extremism,鈥� said Abul Quasem.
Dhaka University English department associate professor Ashim Dutta and singer Mohiuzzaman Chowdhury Moyna received Rabindra Puraskar 2025. Each awardee received a crest, certificate and Tk聽1 lakh at the event.
After the discussion and award-giving ceremony, a cultural event comprising poem recitation, singing songs and dance performances from the creations of Rabindranath was held at the venue.
Chhayanaut launched a two-day Rabindra Utsab at its auditorium while Bangladesh Udichi Shilpi Gosthi arranged an event at its premises in the city.
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy will organise an event at the National Theatre Hall today and Bangladesh Rabindrasangeet Shilpi Sangstha will begin a two-day festival on the University of Liberal Arts campus at Dhanmondi in the capital Dhaka.
