Rabindra Sangeet Festival comes to an end

A colourful dance sequence at the event. PHOTO: STAR

The 24th annual conference of the Jatiyo Rabindra Sangeet Shammilon Parishad (RSSP) came to an end on April 4. RSSP arranged several events and a competition for emerging singers who practice Tagore songs.

The day started with the members of RSSP's visit to the Shaheed Minar to demonstrate reverence to the martyrs of our land. A musical programme followed.

The Chief Guest Professor Anisuzzaman, along with the chairperson of RSSP Wahidul Haque, co-chairperson Sanjida Khatun and Mita Haque took the stage. Renowned sitar artiste, Khurshid Khan was honoured with the Rabindra Padak for his altruistic contribution to the arena of classical music in our country. Khan is the grandson of legendary musician Ustad Ayet Ali Khan and has devoted his life to classical music. Says a modest Khan: "My music learning process has not yet ended."

Wahidul Haque, Chairperson of RSSP expressed his contentment with the standard of the contestants who participated in the competition of Tagore songs arranged by RSSP. He mentioned that two of the young artistes had rendered Tagore songs with such dedication that they made him tearful. As he said, "I was surprised to notice that these children and teenagers, many of whom are from outside Dhaka, talked with a dialect but sang Tagore songs with a perfect accent. These young artists have managed to go beyond the regional boundaries."

Shukanto Chakravarty from Comilla and Steve Turjo from Faridpur received awards of distinction in two age groups. Partha Pratim Roy of Dhaka and Meena Abid Shahriar from Khulna jointly won the first prize in the adult group. Aqib Ajmain from Bogra won first prize in the children's group.

Co-chairperson of RSSP, Sanjida Khatun in her speech said "Tagore did not belong to any particular religion or caste. He followed the religion of humanity." Truly, in this day and age the whole world can learn to be more liberal and free by taking a closer look at Tagore's life and conviction.

Chief Guest, Anisuzzaman chimed in with the other speakers at the occasion by saying that Tagore taught us that one's country means a lot to oneself, but way greater than motherland is humanity.

After the speeches, the musical part of the programme started with chorus songs by groups from Dhaka, Narayanganj and Matlab.

Naila Tabasum Kakoli and Golam Sarwar rendered poetry.

Shukla Sarkar and her group performed a dance recital.

The event ended with a rendition of our National Anthem. There was also the hope of a continuing struggle to uphold humanity by absorbing Tagore's philosophies through his literary work, songs and plays.