Bangladesh
25 Baishakh Bangladesh to observe birth anniversary of polymath Rabindranath Tagore today
Dhaka, May 8: Today is the 25th of Baishakh, the 161st birth anniversary of renowned poet and polymath Rabindranath Tagore. The two memorised days of the Bengali calendar are 25th Baishakh- Tagore's birth date- and 22nd Shravan- his demise. Rabindranath remains attached to the Bengali individual's mind especially on these two days.
This short-lived man was born on this day in 1268 BS (May 7, 181 AD) at the famous Thakurbari of Jorasanko in Calcutta.
Regarding the style of his birthday, the poet himself wrote in Prabasi Patrika in 1343 BS, "I do not want to take seat on my birthday in the crowded courtyard of fame. Today I need peace in silence."
Due to the coronavirus situation in the country at present, there is no official event on the occasion of the poet's birthday. However, various programs in memory of the poet will be aired on public and private radio and television.
Chayanat has organized a program titled 'Dhar Nirvar Gaan' on this year's Rabindra Jayanti. The show will air tomorrow, Saturday at 9pm Bangladesh time. The event will also be aired on the YouTube channel of Chayanat's Facebook group.
His admirers thinks, "Rabindranath Tagore is the pride of Bengal and Bengalis. He has expanded the range of Bengali literature with all his extraordinary literary works. Rabindranath is by our side in every struggle of life and struggle against untruths and injustices. Rabindranath is therefore very relevant to us."
More than one and a half hundred years after his birth and many years after his death, why is Rabindranath still relevant? Rabindra expert and eminent educationist Professor Anisuzzaman writes, "This Bengali poet was born at a time when the state was subjugated, thought was traditional and backward, Bengali language was immature. He has simultaneously elevated this language and literature to world standard as well as brought modernity in the world of thought of the nation. He has played a pioneering role in shaping the mind of Bengalis. By inspiring them to converge on the path of truth, beauty, justice and welfare, he has elevated the Bengali mind to world-class and bound the nation in eternal gratitude."
Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina delivered speeches on the occasion of the 161st birthday of world poet Rabindranath Tagore.
In the message, the Prime Minister said, "The life style of world poet Rabindranath Tagore and his creations will forever inspire Bengalis to build a non-communal Bangladesh, free from exploitation and deprivation."
