“Shakatore oi kandiche shokole”—the two-day commemoration marking the 85th death anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore began with a chorus performance of one of the poet’s songs, as artists brought his timeless works to life through music.
The program, featuring songs exploring themes of separation, love, nature and the human spirit, began on Friday at Chhayanaut in the capital, organised by the Bangladesh Rabindra Sangeet Shilpi Sangstha.
The opening chorus was followed by “Aguner Poroshmoni Chhoyao Prane, E Jibon Purno Koro,” setting the tone for an evening dedicated to Tagore’s music.
Ahmad Maya Akhtari then took the stage for a solo performance.
A number of Rabindra Sangeet artistes subsequently performed throughout the evening, including Anushree Bhattacharya, Suchitra Chakraborty, Sumana Das, Talat Sultana, Kushal Roy Joy, Tanushree Deepak, Moumita Momi, Sharmila Chakraborty, Shakil Hashmi, Shilpi Saha, Zeenat Ferdous Chobi, Bandana Rani Gomsta, Sushmit Saif Islam, Sumi Chakraborty, Sabrina Rahman, Ankhi Halder, Bulbul Islam, Tanushree Bhattacharya, Zafar Ahmed, Smritikana Pal and Liton Chandra Vaidya.
Anushree Bhattacharya performed “Jani Jani Tumi Eshocho Ei Pothe”, while Suchitra Chakraborty presented “Oi Shuni Jaan Charan Dhwani Re”. Sumana Das performed “Mam Mon Upobone” and Talat Sultana sang “Sokarun Benu Bajaye Ke Jaye”.
Kushal Roy Joy performed “Amar Ja Ache Ami Sakal Dite Parini Tomar Name”, followed by Tanushree Deepak’s “Utal Dhara Badol Jhore Sakal Bela”. Moumita Momi presented “Agnibeena Bajao Tumi”, while Sharmila Chakraborty performed “Shondhya Holo Go Ma”.
The main auditorium of Chhayanaut remained filled with Tagore’s songs as the performances continued.
Shakil Hashmi performed “Chinile Na Amare Ki”, while Shilpi Saha sang “Tomar Mohon Rupe Ke Roy Bhule”. Zeenat Ferdous presented “Ya Pakhtan Pakhtan Pyar Pakhtan”.
Bandana Rani Gomsta performed “Bhubon Jora Asonkhani”, followed by Sushmit Saif Islam’s “Shokti Rupe Heroh Tare”. Sumi Chakraborty sang “Barish Dhara Majhe Shantir Bari”, while Sabrina Rahman performed “Tumi Ektu Keboli Boshte Diyo Kachhe”.
Ankhi Halder’s rendition of “Megher Pore Megh Jomechhe, Andhar Ghonie Ashe” created a different mood, followed by Bulbul Islam’s “Pothe Jete Jete Tomar Porosh Ashe”.
Tanushree Bhattacharya then performed “Dekho Dekho Dekho Shuktara Ankhi Mele Chay”.
Smritikana Pal sang “Tomarei Koriyechi Jibon Dhrubatara”, while Liton Chandra Vaidya concluded the solo performances with “Aji Pranam Tomare Chholib Na”.
At the beginning of the program, Bangladesh Rabindra Sangeet Shilpi Sangstha General Secretary Piyush Barua welcomed the audience.
“This is our program marking the 85th death anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore. On behalf of our organisation, I express my sincere gratitude and thanks to everyone who has joined us,” he said.
He added that the organisation’s President Tapan Mahmud and Executive President Amina Ahmed were currently abroad.
“They are not with us at the moment, so we are organising the programme largely without their guidance. I hope you will join us tomorrow and encourage our artists,” Piyush Barua said.
Acting President of the Bangladesh Rabindra Sangeet Shilpi Sangstha, artist Khandaker Khairuzzaman Qayyum, formally opened the programme by greeting the audience.
The first day of the two-day commemoration was more than a formal tribute to Tagore. Through a succession of his songs performed by different artists, the evening offered the audience an opportunity to revisit the poet’s works and connect with his music in a renewed way.
