Bafa celebrates Tagore birth anniversary

Bafa students present a lively dance performance at the celebration

By commemorating dance guru Bulbul Chowdhury and his role in popularising dance among the conservative Bangalee Muslims, the academy has produced a school of singers, musicians and dancers over the years. It is also known as Bafa (Bulbul Academy of Fine Arts).

On the occasion of the 144th birth anniversary of Nobel laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore, the age-old academy resounded with festivity yesterday with the participation of young enthusiastic students and a sizable audience. Titled Tar Anto Naigo Je Anonodey, the programme featured a small discussion on Tagore and a colourful cultural function.

Enam Ahmed Chaudhury, chairman of the Privatisation Commission, was the chief guest of the programme. Amanullah Chowdhury, secretary of the Bafa, and eminent dancer Rahija Khanam Jhunu, principal of the Bafa, spoke at the occasion.

"From the vast and assorted treasures of Rabindranath Tagore we need to cultivate ourselves," said Enam Ahmed Chaudhury. "To culminate the values and philosophy of life, aesthetic sense and, in fact, at every step towards becoming a perfect human being, Tagore's creations are the best guideline," he added.

The students of the academy started the cultural show with Tagore's Tar anto naigo je anondey. The show also comprised of songs, dance recitals and a poetry recitation. With the song Tomar anondo oi elo dwarey dwarey, the dancers of the institute delighted the audience. Two other dance pieces directed by Farhana Chowdhury Baby and Anik Bose were also performed nicely.

Tagore's medley of songs of different moods, varying from solo to duet to chorus, enamoured the audience. Songs such as Dhonilo ahban modhur gambhir, Prothomo adi tobo shokti and Joy tobo bichitro anondo were echoed across the auditorium as the singers rendered them in chorus.

Solo rendition of songs like Aji jhorer ratey, Amar ei path chawatei anondo, Ami hridoyer kotha bolitey byakul and others were also appreciated by the audience while Eshechhiley tobu asho nai, Money robey kina robey, Bipodey morey rokkha koro and a few other duets were also impressive.

The programme ended with a chorus rendition of the country's National Anthem Amar shonar Bangla, another timeless creation of Rabindranath Tagore.