Grand Opening of the 37th National Rabindra Sangeet Festival
By Sabrina Khan (Dhaka Bureau)
Amidst a blend of melodic tunes, profound tributes, and emotional resonance, the ‘37th National Rabindra Sangeet Festival’ has commenced at the Liberation War Museum auditorium in Agargaon, Dhaka. Organized by the Bangladesh Rabindra Sangeet Shilpi Sangstha to mark the 165th birth anniversary of the World Poet Rabindranath Tagore, this festival is more than just a cultural event; it has become a collective commitment to pass on the poet’s philosophy of life to the new generation.
Chief Guest of the festival, renowned litterateur Anwara Syeda Haq, highlighted the deep-rooted connection between Tagore and the soul of Bengal in her inaugural speech. She stated, “The evolution of Tagore into ‘The Tagore’ was fundamentally shaped by his proximity to the people, climate, rivers, and the lush greenery of Bengal. His ‘Jibon Debota’ (Life Deity) flourished on this very soil, inspiring him to present his unique philosophy to the world. He was a poet of secularism, welfare, and beauty.”
A defining moment of the festival’s first day was the presentation of the ‘Kalim Sharafi Award and Honor’ to Timir Nandi, a veteran artiste and ‘Shobdo Shoinik’ (sound warrior) of the Shadhin Bangla Betar Kendra.
The Rabindra Sangeet Shilpi Sangstha presented a certificate of appreciation to renowned music artist Timir Nandi.
Accepting the honor on the birthday of the legendary artiste Kalim Sharafi, an emotional Timir Nandi said, ‘Kalim Sharafi was not just an individual; he was an institution in himself. To have spent years in his company and to receive an award in his name is a matter of great pride for me.’
Pijush Barua, the organization’s General Secretary, handed over the award. A commemorative memento was presented to Professor Anwara Syeda Haq, while Khondokar Khairuzzaman Kaiyum, Vice-President of the organization, was also present.
The first day was curated with a unique mix of joy and solemnity. At the beginning of the program, a minute of silence was observed in memory of the late legendary singer Asha Bhosle, Shahjahan Hafiz, and Dalia Nawshin.
The event featured choral performances by artists from the Shangeetanjali family and Bulbul Academy of Fine Arts (BAFA). Solo performances were delivered by Mukti Nandi, Kobita Kormokar, Jafar Sadik, and the awardee Timir Nandi himself. The soulful recitation by eminent elocutionist Bhaswar Bandyopadhyay added a distinct dimension to the evening.
The second and final day of this two-day festival begins today, Saturday, at 10:00 AM. Renowned cultural personality Mofidul Hoque will be present as a special guest at the concluding session.
The relentless efforts of the Bangladesh Rabindra Sangeet Shilpi Sangstha prove that despite the passage of time, the relevance of Tagore in Bangladesh has not faded in the slightest; rather, he remains intertwined with every grain of sand in this land.
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The Author:
Sabrina Khan: Staff Correspondent, Pressenza- Dhaka Bureau.
