157th Rabindra Jayanti celebrated with aplomb

Kolkata: Rabindranath Tagore's 157th birth anniversary was observed at Rabindra Tirtha, New Town, with great enthusiasm.

The day-long programme was inaugurated by Debashis Sen, chairman of Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO). Calling Rabindra Tirtha a "mini Santiniketan", Sen said well known, lesser known and unknown Tagore exponents took part in the programme and he has been remembered through his songs and recitations". Rabindra Tirtha is coming up as a major cultural hub in the city.

Rabindra Tirtha has taken up a month-long programme on every Saturday and Sunday in May, to pay homage to Tagore. Rabindra sangeet exponents will participate in the event and dance drama and geeti alekhya will be presented during the fortnight.

Handicapped Development Welfare Association observed the day at Ahindra Mancha on Wednesday. Actor Rituparna Sengupta graced the occasion, along with Debashis Kumar, Member, Mayor-in-Council (parks and squares) and Saikat Mitra (singer), along with Sourav Ghosh (President, HDWA) and Sumanta Ghosh (secretary, HWDA).

Students performed dance and mime. Many of them were deaf and dumb. All the guests handed over certificates to the participants. Rituparna Sengupta said, "I always love to be with such good causes. I have come not only to celebrate the poet's birthday, but it's also my duty to support such initiatives. It is good to know that participants from various states of India and even Bangladesh have joined this grand celebration. I wish them all the success for all their future initiatives."

Rabindra Jayanti was also observed by the students of Naba Nalanda High School. The function was held at one of the boulevards on Southern Avenue. The programme started early in the morning, where students presented songs, dance drama and recited poems by Tagore.

Thousands of people went to Jorasanko Thakurbari to pay homage to the great poet. He was born in this house on May 9, 1861 and died here in 1941. Tagore's statue at Rabindra Sarobar Lake was garlanded and the morning walkers sang his songs, while some recited poems written by him.

Various clubs organised blood donation camps and distributed fruits among the patients of state-run hospitals. In Salt Lake, Rabindra Jayanti was celebrated in every block. The residents presented his songs, dance drama and one act plays to remember the bard.