Professor Anisur Rahman sings at the programme. Photo: Mumit M.

To celebrate the 147th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, Bangla Academy arranged a cultural programme at its seminar room on May 11. The programme highlighted lecture and solo performance by Tagore researcher and singer Professor Anisur Rahman.
The programme was unlike the usual arrangements, as it included a lecture demonstration on Rabindra Sangeet, highlighting nine Tagore songs rendered by Professor Rahman.
He started the performance with the song Jetey jetey ekla pothey. “Usually my performances differ from the typical renditions that the audience is accustomed to,” said Professor Rahman about his distinct style.
His next performance was Maharaj. “In this song, Tagore perhaps referred to Arjun's devotion to Lord Krishna, which, I gathered from a listener at a musical soiree in Shantiniketan,” Professor Rahman explained.
Later, he performed songs on rain including Aji bhora badal-e.
The artiste also rendered several songs on love including Ekoda tumi priye, Bhalobashi bhalobashi and Tumi robey nirobey. Professor Rahman gave an interesting explanation on the song Bhalobashi Bhalobashi, in which, every other word of the song is tinged with a certain emotion.
Professor Harun-ur-Rashid presided over the programme. DG of Bangla Academy Dr. Syed Muhammad Shahed gave the welcome speech.
Professor Anisur Rahman concluded the performance with a rendition of Ogo shapno sharothini.
Professor Anisur Rahman, also a reputed economist, has written several books on Tagore songs and Economics. One of his books, titled Songs of Tagore, contain 65 songs translated into English and an elaborate discussion on Rabindra Sangeet. Professor Rahman received the biennial “Rabindra Award” given by Rabindra Parishad of Patna in 2004. He had also given a lecture titled “Adhunik Kantha Bigyan O Rabindra Sangeet” at Shantiniketan. He also conducted a course at the Music Department of Visva Bharati University.
After Professor Rahman's solo performance, noted Tagore singer Mita Haque, Shama Rahman and Abdul Wadud performed several songs, while Sultana Shahria and Syed Zakir Hossain recited poems and excerpts from Tagore's writings.