A medley of musical talents

Hosted by BRSS General Secretary Tapan Mahmud, the programme started with the National Anthem. BRSS Chairman Kalim Sharafi inaugurated the show. One-minute silence was observed in memory of Abdul Latif, Rajia Shahid and Khalid Hassan Milu, who had passed away recently.

Prof Mustafa Nurul Islam, chief guest of the programme, said, "Tagore discovered Bangladesh anew because he stayed here for years and came here on frequent visits. In his literary works, including Chhinnopotro, he has portrayed the country, its people and language with an entirely new vision." He opined that Bangladesh has spoken for the first time in Rabindranath Tagore's literary works.

Nurul Islam also said, "Tagore's songs have been an eternal inspiration for the Bangalees at the moments of crisis they have gone through."

The musical soiree started with a series of Tagore songs in chorus. The songs included Esho shyamolo shundoro, Bajrey tomar bajey banshi and Oi mahamanob ashey. Later, popular singers Saadi Mohammad, Fahim Hossain Chowdhury, Tapan Mahmud, Naima Ali, Lily Islam, Aditi Mohsin and others rendered songs.

Three dance pieces by Munmun Ahmed, Sohel Rahman and artistes of Nrityalok and poetry recitation by Kazi Arif and Progna Laboni followed.

The four-day festival includes a discussion session today at 6pm on the issue of withdrawal of Biswabharati's copyright. Tagore exponents and singers will share their views on the issue. The festival will end tomorrow with musical session participated by the artistes of BRSS.