Rabindra Parshad gears up

The event featured renditions of Kirtan, Baul songs and recitation.

As part of a yearlong programme marking the 150th birth anniversary of Nobel laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore, Rabindra Parshad's Mymensingh unit organised a programme on the campus of Mymensingh Teachers' Training College last Saturday evening.
The programme included a discussion, musical soiree and poetry recitation. Artistes of Shishu Tirtha Anandadhani Sangeet Bidyayatan, Shabda Abritti Charcha Kendra and Udichi Mymensingh took part in the cultural programme.
Hamim, Raha, Dipra, Anika, Adri and Amjad Dolan of Shabda Abritti Charcha Kendra staged poetry recitation, while Gopal Bhattacharya and Sunil Karmakar rendered Kirtan and Baul songs respectively. Sajal Koraishi presented the programme.
A discussion, titled 'Baul Rabindranath and Bangalee Manosh' was held with Professor Mokarram Hossain, president of Rabindra Parshad, in the chair. Among others, eminent Tagore artiste Professor Sumita Naha; Professor Jatin Sarker and poet Nirmelundu Goon also spoke on the occasion. Yeazdani Koraishi Kajal, convener of the celebrating committee, delivered the welcome speech.
Professor Naha said that Tagore mingled Baul tunes in many of his popular songs, as he was inclined towards the genre from an early age. While composing Brahma Sangeet, Tagore became acquainted with Baul and Kirtan songs, which enriched his music. Like many other songs, Tagore used a Baul tune as inspiration for “Amar Shonar Bangla”, which later became our National Anthem, she added.
Rabindranath also played the role of Baul in different plays including “Falguni” and “Arup Ratan”, and he is also called the modern 'Brahma Baul', said Naha, a retired professor.
Professor Jatin Sarker said that Rabindranath, enriched Bengali culture and brought it to world standards. He revealed the lifestyle of common people in his writings and his literature should, therefore be taken to common people to make the celebration a success, he said.
The writings of such an astounding talent should be disseminated among the younger generation to ensure an enlightened country, said the speakers.
Rabindra Parshad has taken on the yearlong programme to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Tagore. The programmes include organising music, dance and recitation competitions at educational institutions; exhibitions of films on Tagore; collecting Tagore memorabilia and special publications on Tagore and cultural exchange among the districts..
“We have divided the programme into six parts so that we can have the essence of six seasons and make it more appealing to the audience,” said Yeazdani Koraishi Kajal.