Tagore’s birth anniversary today

The 149th anniversary of the birth of Rabindranath Tagore, who reshaped the Bangla literature in the late 19th and the early 20th century, will be observed in Bangladesh today.
Tagore, who became Asia’s first Nobel laureate when he won the 1913 Nobel prize in literature, was a poet, playwright, novelist, educationist, social reformer, nationalist, business manager, artist and music composer.
He was born on Baishakh 25, 1268 in the Bangla calendar, in a zamindar family in Kolkata, India. The occasion came to be celebrated on Baishakh 25 in accordance with the date of his birth in the Bangla calendar.
The anniversary of his birth will, however, be celebrated in West Bengal on Sunday as the Bangla calendar in use in Bangladesh was changed in 1988 in line with a modification done by a Bangla Academy committee headed by Dr Muhammad Shahidullah in 1963.
The government, educational institutions, socio-cultural organisations and radio and television channels have chalked up programmes to mark the day.
Newspapers will bring out special supplements featuring Tagore’s contribution to the Bangla literature and music. The electronic media will air special programmes, including soirees, recitation from his poems, discussions, film shows and dramas scripted or based on Tagore’s stories.
The president, Zillur Rahman, in a message on the occasion, said the extraordinary literature and all creative works of Rabidranath Tagore would inspire new generations.
He said, ‘Worship of truth and beauty, and expansion of values of humanity are the main themes of his works.’
The prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, in a message, said, ‘Rabindranath is a “lighthouse” for the Bengalis. He wandered in the hearts of the Bengalis. He was a source of inspiration in all movements, struggles, revolutions, thoughts and creativity of the Bengali nation.’
‘Rabindranath was an extraordinary talent with his poetic brilliance. He was a prolific author of dramas, plays, short stories and novels. He was also an artist, philosopher, singer, social reformer and educationist,’ Hasina said.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson, Khaleda Zia, also the leader of the opposition in parliament, in a message, said Rabindranath had immense influence on the life of the people of Bangladesh. His works have not only enriched the Bangla literature but have also projected it to the outside world.
The cultural ministry will hold the national programme on the occasion in Dhaka, Shahjadpur, Patisar and Dakshidihi.
The prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, will inaugurate the national celebrations of Tagore’s birth anniversary at the Osmani Memorial Hall at 9:30am.
The Bangabandhu Sangskritik Goshthi will bring out a procession from Ramna Park at 11:00am.
The Bangla Academy will hold a discussion and hand over Rabindra Award 2010 to Kalim Sharafi and Sanjida Khatun.

Via: NewAge