Rendition and recitation of Tagore compositions

Indira Gandhi Culture Centre (IGCC) organised an evening of Rabindra Sangeet with narration by Pitam Sengupta (India) and musical performance by Sangita Majumdar (India) and Mahnaz Karim Hussain (Bangladesh) on 17 February at Kobi Sufia Kamal Auditorium, Bangladesh National Museum, Shahbagh in Dhaka.

The programme was based on documented research by Pitam Sengupta on Tagore's journey to Bangladesh and its influence on his life. The rivers and streams of Bangladesh, its fertile low lying plains and the abounding freshness of nature had a lifelong impact on the poet and inspired him to compose songs and short stories.

The musical event started off with a duet performance of a patriotic song “Aji Bangladesh-er Hridoy Hote” by the singer duo. Mahnaz Karim Hussain rendered several songs including “O Okuler Kul, O Ogotir Goti”, “Tumi Daak Diyechho Kon Sokale” and “Ami Kaan Pete Roi” while Sangita Majumdar sang “Jodi Jantem Amar Kisher Byatha”, “Bhalobesey Sokhi Nibhrito Jotone” and “Jogote Ananda Joggye”. Another duet performance of the song “Jini Sokol Kajer Kaji” followed.

Pitam Sengupta, an author from Kolkata, has done considerable research on Tagore and published a book on Tagore's works in 2015. In 2016, his research-based document on the Swaralipikars of Tagore's songs was broadcast by Doordarshan Bangla in a 12-part series. Sangita Majumdar studied Music at Visva Bharati University, Shantiniketan and performs Rabindra Sangeet on stage and TV in India. She was awarded a gold medal by the Bharatiya Bhasha Parishad, India. Mahnaz Karim Hussain is a promising Rabindra Sangeet singer of Bangladesh. She is an enlisted singer of BTV and performs regularly on media in Bangladesh.