Rabindranath Tagore's 163rd birth anniversary today

The 163rd birth anniversary of Biswakabi Rabindranath Tagore, who reshaped Bengali literature and music as well as arts of Indian subcontinent with contextual modernism, is being celebrated today (May 8) in a befitting manner.

On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Rabindranath, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages today paying rich tributes to the great poet.

The government has taken up elaborate programmes to celebrate the 163rd birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore at national level.

On the 25th of Baishakh in 1268 Bengali calendar, Rabindranath, the fountainhead of Bengali wisdom, was born at Jorasanko in Kolkata.

Nobody had influenced the minds of so many Bengali-speaking people before or after him. His influence has been compared, by many, to William Shakespeare in the English-speaking world.

Marking the birth anniversary, as part of the national programme, local administration took measures to arrange different programme at Patisar under Atrai upazila in Naogaon district, at Shilaidaha Kuthibari under Kumarkhali upazila in Kushtia, Shahjadpur in Sirajganj and Dakkhindihi and Pithavog in Khulna, the places where Rabindranath had memories.

Rabindra fair, discussions and cultural events will be organized to mark the birth anniversary of the great poet. Besides, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy has taken a three-day programme including cultural functions.

Chhayanaut, a leading cultural organization of the country, is organizing a two-day Rabindra Utsab at its auditorium on May 8-9. The programmes include performance of solo and chorus songs, dance and poem recitations. Apart from artistes of Chhayanaut, invited artistes and groups will take part in the festival. The programme will begin at 7.00pm every day.