Tagore’s 80th death anniv today

The nation is observing the 80th death anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore today recalling the great poet who did not leave any human emotion untouched in his works, especially poems and songs.

The day is being observed with a limited number of programmes due to the pandemic.

Tagore died at the age of 80 on August 7 in 1941, according to the Gregorian calendar. But his death anniversary is observed in Bangladesh on Sraban 22 of the Bangla calendar.

The cultural affairs ministry, Bangla Academy and different other government and non-government institutions and cultural organisations are holding virtual programmes to mark the day.

Bangla Academy will hold a discussion and cultural event virtually. State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid will join the programme as the chief guest.

Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and private television and radio stations will air special programmes on the occasion.

The youngest of 13 children of Debendranath Tagore and Sarada Devi, Tagore, nicknamed "Rabi", was born on 25th of Baishakh, 1268 (May 7, 1861) at the Jorasanko mansion in Kolkata.

In his endeavors in different genres of Bangla literature, the great poet enriched the Bangla language and literature and elevated their positions in the global arena.

His novels, short stories, songs, dance dramas and essays spoke to political and personal topics.

Gitanjali (Song Offerings), Gora (Fair-Faced) and Ghare-Baire (The Home and the World) are his best-known works. His short stories and novels were acclaimed for their lyricism, colloquialism, and naturalism.

Rabindranath became the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913.

Sometimes referred to as "the Bard of Bengal", Tagore's poetic songs were viewed as spiritual and mercurial.

His compositions were chosen by two nations as national anthems: Bangladesh's "Amar Sonar Bangla" and India's "Jana Gana Mana".