Recitation day of Tagore's poems observed

Professor Zillur Rahman Siddiqui (R) and Sumana Biswas reciting a poem. PHOTO: STAR

Rabindra Adhayan Chakra has been observing this occasion in Bangladesh since 1985. On July 3 at Goethe Institut, Rabindra Adhayan Chakra observed the day by reciting Tagore's poems and rendering songs from Geetanjali.

In her welcome speech Professor Anwara Begum, the President of Rabindra Adhayan Chakra, said, "Dr Soumendranath Basu, the founder of Tagore Research Institute, requested us to observe the day. Initiated by Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed, this is our 21st effort." The programme was jointly hosted by M Hamid and Sharke Chaman Khan Snigdhya.

The programme started with the rendition of the chorus Parbi Naki Jog Dite by Bishwabina. After the chorus of Shundoro Bote Tabo, Dr Anisuzzaman said, "After reading Geetanjali, Europeans misinterpreted Tagore only as a mystic poet. WB Yeats wrote the introduction of Geetanjali. Later, they became indifferent to Tagore when he delivered his speech on Nationalism. However, those who have a better understanding of Tagore, consider him a universal poet."

During the programme a poem from Geetanjali was presented followed by a recitation of its English version, translated by Tagore.

M Hamid, Bhaswar Bandyopa-dhyay, Sharke Chaman Khan Snigdhya, Sumana Biswas and Ria Mahmud recited the Bangla version of the poems while Professor Zillur Rahman Siddiqui, Faiyaz Murshid Kazi, Shafqat Chowdhury and Dalia Ahmed recited the English version of the poems from Geetanjali. The rendition of songs by renowned Tagore artistes such as Dr Sanjida Khatun, Mita Haque, Apala Farhat Noved, Adity Mohsin, Azizur Rahman, Farzana Yasmin Luna and Khairuzzaman Qaiyum charmed the audience.