Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) - A three-day Rabindra Utsav began in the capital Dhaka on Thursday marking the 150th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore.
Music school Shurer Dhara, run by eminent Rabindrasangeet singer Rezwana Chowdhury Banya, organised the festival.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the festival at Bangabandhu International Convention Centre in the afternoon.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the gala event, Sheikh Hasina said that her government has taken an initiative to establish a Rabindra University for expansion of Rabindra thoughts and ideals.
“It is a great satisfaction for us that now we can sing the songs of Rabindranath and practise his literary works in a free atmosphere for which the Bengali nation had to struggle for a long time,” the premier said.
She said Kobiguru Rabindranath and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman dreamt of such a society where Bengalis would live with dignity keeping their heads high.
On the occasion, Shurer Dhara has released an album series of 2,222 songs, dance drama and opera in 22 DVDs.
Eminent economist and Nobel laureate Amartya Sen unveiled the DVDs titled 'Shruti Geetabitan'.
Unveiling the Shruti Geetabitan, Amartya Sen said, "Nothing can be more creative and outstanding than the work Rezwana has done".
The collection of songs will uphold the spirit of Tagore's literary works, especially while practising his songs authentically, he hoped.
The program was followed by a stirring rendition of one thousand singers of Tagore songs at a single stage.
The rendition titled "Shahashro Kanthey Rabindranath (Rabindranath in the voice of thousand) was directed by Indian music director and composer Dev Jyoti Mishra.
Noted poet of India Shanka Ghosh, noted citizens of the country and thousands of Rabindra admirers attended the inaugural function at the open space in front of the convention centre.
Professor Emeritus Dr Anisuzzaman, Rezwana Chowdhury Banya, among others, spoke on the occasion.
BBN/SSR/AD-30Dec11-2:23 am (BST)