Staff Correspondent

The 164th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore will be observed across the country with various programs organised by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.

This year’s theme is "Rabindranath and Bangladesh".

The main three-day celebration will begin  at Rabindra Kuthibari in Shilaidaha, Kushtia, on Monday and continue until May 10(25–27 Boishakh 1432).

The event is jointly arranged by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, and Kushtia district administration.

Cultural Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki will attend the inaugural ceremony as the chief guest, while Secretary Md Mofidul Rahman will chair the event.

Additional Secretary Md Farhad Siddique will deliver the welcome speech, and Professor Mansur Musa will give the commemorative address.

Dr Nakib Mohammad Nasrullah, Vice Chancellor of Islamic University, will attend as special guest.

The cultural segment will feature a group dance performance of "Akash bhora surjo tara" by the academy's dancers.

Suma Rani Roy and Bulbul Islam will perform a series of Tagore songs including "Ami Kothay Pabo Tare", "Ghorete Bhromor Elo", and "Tumi Kemon Kore Gaan Koro," to name a few of the performances.

A separate cultural event titled "Anandojogge amar nimantron" will be held on May 9 at 6:30 pm at the National Theatre Hall, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka.

The program will be chaired by Mohammad Wares Hossain, Secretary and Acting Director General of the Academy, with a welcome speech from Mehjabeen Rahman, Director of the Academy’s Music, Dance, and Recitation department.

The event includes performances by dance group Bhavna and renditions of Tagore songs by both senior and emerging artists.

The evening will conclude with group dances and songs such as "Aj Dokhin Duar Khola", "O Re O Re Amar", and "Oi Moha Manob Ashe."

In addition to Dhaka and Kushtia, celebratory events will be held in all seven divisions. All programs are open to the public.