Tagore enthusiasts thronged several venues of the capital to celebrate the bard's 154th birth anniversary on May 8. At its main auditorium, Bangladesh National Museum (BNM) organised a programme featuring solo renditions by noted singer Rezwana Chowdhury Bonnya, dance performances by Rachel Priyanka Perris and recitation of poems by the chief guest of the event Asaduzzaman Noor, Cultural Affairs Minister -- and promising elocutionist Samiul Islam Poluck.

Bonnya entertained the packed audience with her repertoire of songs including “Tai Tomar Ananda” and “Labonye Purna Pran”. Priyanka danced to Bonnya's three live presentations of songs. Asaduzzaman Noor recited “Sonar Tori” and “Kinu Goalar Bari” while Poluck presented “Kripan” and a letter from Chhinnapatra. Bonnya shared some rare information and stories about the songs she performed. She also made the audience sing along with “Gram Chhara Oi” and “Tomar Khola Hawa”.

Artistes of Chhayanaut perform at the programmes.

Tagore lovers crowded Chhayanaut auditorium where Professor Somendranath Bandyopadhyay inaugurated the two-day Rabindra Utshab. The inaugurator elaborated on Rabindra Sangeet and Rabindra Chitrakala with references and visual presentations. Dr. Sanjida Khatun delivered the welcome address at the event. Chhayanaut artistes along with some guest artistes, including Sayan Chowdhury, Fahim Hossain Chowdhury and Salma Akbar and artistes of the troupe Shurer Dhara performed solo and choral songs and dances. Zahid Reza Noor recited at the programme.

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy arranged a commemorative programme, highlighting discussion, solo and choral rendition of songs, recitations, dance performances and presentation of a dance drama “Shyama” by Nrityalok Sangskritik Kendra, where eminent dancer-actress Sadia Islam Mou performed the lead. Among others, Bulbul Islam, Sajed Akbar, Nargis Chowdhury, Aniruddha Sengupta performed solo songs while artistes of Nritym danced to the number “Jagot Jurey Udash Sur-e”. Syed Hasan Imam recited “Bojha Pora” at the programme.

Sadia Islam Mou performs at the programmes.

Bangladesh Rabindra Sangeet Shilpi Sangstha organised a five-day celebration programme at Shawkat Osman Memorial auditorium of Central Public Library where a number of prominent and promising singers, dancers and elocutionists rendered songs, recited poems and danced. Noted artistes like Papia Sarwar and Amina Ahmed performed solo songs at the venue.