A Musical Offering to Rabindranath Tagore

Audity Moshin (left) sings and Nishat Jahan Rana recites at the programme.

Marking 150th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore this year, Jatiyo Rabindra Sangeet Sammilan Parishad (Dhaka metro branch) arranged a programme featuring the Nobel laureate's songs and poetry at the main auditorium of Chhayanaut Sangskriti Bhaban on June 10. The event also marked 100th anniversary of “Geetanjali”, the Nobel Prize winning book by Tagore.
Litterateur Hayat Mamud spoke on various aspects of Tagore's life and his literary accomplishments at the event. Artistes of Rabindra Sangeet Sammilan Parishad performed a chorus, “Antor Momo Bikoshito Koro”. Solo rendition of the song “Jagater Ananda Joggey Amar Nimontron” by Shibesh Kirtania followed.
As “Geetanjali” was the prime focus of the event, the performances -- songs and recitation -- highlighted the collection.
Tagore singers Iffat Ara Dewan, Lily Islam, Audity Moshin, Nasima Khan, Mojibul Qaiyum, Azizur Rahman Tuhin and Elora Ahmed Shukla rendered “Dhaye Jeno Mor”, “Tumi Nabo Nabo Roop-e Esho”, “Aaji Jhorer Raat-e”, “Probhu Toma Lagi”, “Amar Matha Noto Korey Dao Hey”, “Megher Porey Megh Jomechhey” and “Probhu Aaji Tomar” respectively.
Sukanto Chakrobarty, Abhaya Dutta, Mamun Zahid Khan and Pijush Barua also performed solo.
Bhaswar Bandyopadhyay and Nishat Jahan Rana recited excerpts from “Geetanjali” at the programme.
Choruses -- “Ekti Nomoshkar-e Probhu”, “Kobey Ami Bahir Holem” and “Kon Alotey Praner Prodip” -- were performed by Saifullah Parvez, Mahua Monjuri Sunanda, Deepika Rani Das, Sadia Nusrat Noor, Farzana Poppy, Noor-i-Razia Momo, Nandita Sarkar, Nihar Ranjan Sarkar, Ashikur Rahman, Sumaiya Imam Ima and Sayeed Sujan.
Gautam Sarkar and Subir Ghosh on tabla, Iftekhar Hossen Sohel on keyboard and Almas Ali on violin instrumentally assisted the singers. The programme wrapped up with a rendition of the national anthem.