Tracing the Footsteps of Tagore
The packed National Museum auditorium eagerly watched the 75-minute documentary “Bangladesh-e Rabindranath: Poth Chawatei Anondo” that highlights Rabindra-nath's stay in East Bengal between 1890 and 1937. He came to administer the family estates but found himself turned into “Baul Rabi” and undertook huge reforms in the agriculture and small credit sector, much to the relief of the destitute farmers.
Chanchal Khan, an accomplished Tagore singer is the planner, director and music director of the documentary. Khan was assisted by Hasina Ahmed Shoma as the creative director.
Abul Kalam Azad, minister for Information and Cultural Affairs, spoke on the occasion as the chief guest. He assured the audience that the government is doing its best to preserve the sites in Shilaidaha, Shahjadpur and Potishar that bear memories of Tagore. He sought advice from the artistes, educationists and litterateurs regarding restoration of the heritage sites in Bangladesh.
The documentary was launched to mark Tagore's 150th birth anniversary.
Nazmul Hassan MP, CEO of Beximco Pharma, spoke on behalf of the sponsoring organisation. Chanchal Khan spoke on behalf of Shurolok Music Group that produced the film.
Narrated by Rokeya Prachi, the documentary derives its strength from the comprehensive research by Ahmed Rafique. “The documentary has historical, archival and educational value, especially for those who have little or no knowledge on the bard's enormous contribution to music, literature and rural development of Bengal. Exposure to East Bengal made Rabindranath a complete poet, philosopher and a human being, rather than an urbane poet of Kolkata,” Chanchal Khan said.
Elements of the documentary include nine songs rendered by accomplished and promising singers -- Mita Haque, Sadi Muhammad, Chanchal Khan, Lily Islam, Fahim Hossain, Aniruddha Sengupta and Nandita Yasmin. The songs were written by Tagore in Shiladaha, Shahjadpur and Potishar. The film also provides glimpses from a play based on one of the bard's short stories; interviews of eminent personalities, such as Dr. Atiur Rahman, Selina Hossain, Ahmed Rafique, Lalim Haque, Ashok Saha and others on various aspects of Tagore's contribution. Khaled Khan, Bhaswar Bandyopadhyay and Dahlia Ahmed's narration, as well as Asaduzzaman Noor's recitation of "Sonar Tari" make the documentary a complete experience.
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