A two-day national Rabindra Sangeet festival is set to take place in Dhaka on 8 and 9 May, marking the 165th birth anniversary of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. The event will bring together leading exponents of Tagore’s music from across the country in a celebration of his enduring cultural legacy.
Organised by the Bangladesh Rabindra Sangeet Shilpi Sangstha, this year’s festival marks the 37th edition of the annual gathering, which has long served as one of the most prominent platforms for the preservation and performance of Tagore’s musical repertoire in Bangladesh.
The festival will be held at the auditorium of the Liberation War Museum in Agargaon, Dhaka. According to organisers, preparations are now in their final stage, with participating artists engaged in intensive rehearsals to ensure a high standard of performance.
The overall coordination of the event is being overseen by the organisation’s General Secretary, Pijush Barua, and Executive President, Kajal Mukherjee. Renowned Rabindra Sangeet artist Khairun Nahar Kyum is also associated with the organisational process, contributing to the cultural curation of the programme.
Singer Tanzina Toma noted that the rehearsals over the past two weeks have fostered a strong sense of collaboration among performers. She added that the selection of artists through a formal screening process has helped maintain the festival’s reputation as a benchmark platform for quality performances in Rabindra Sangeet.
This year’s edition is also dedicated to the memory of several distinguished cultural figures, including singer Asha Bhosle, Shahjahan Hafiz, and Dalia Naushin. In addition, the prestigious Kalim Sharafi Award will be conferred upon Rabindra Sangeet exponent Iffat Ara Dewan as a special highlight of the programme.
The opening ceremony is scheduled for 8 May at 4:00 pm, with writer and academic Professor Anwara Syed Haque attending as chief guest. On the second day, researcher and cultural personality Mofidul Hoque will be present as a special guest.
Around 150 performers, including members of the organising body, guest vocalists, reciters, and dancers, are expected to participate in the festival. The programme will run from morning until evening each day, featuring multiple performance segments.
Festival Schedule Overview
| Date | Time | Programme Details |
|---|---|---|
| 8 May | 10:00 am | First session of cultural performances |
| 8 May | 4:00 pm | Inaugural ceremony and main performances |
| 9 May | 10:00 am | Second day performances begin |
| 9 May | 4:00 pm | Closing ceremony and special performances |
Organisers have expressed hope that the festival will not only strengthen the practice of Rabindra Sangeet but also inspire younger generations to engage more deeply with Tagore’s literary and musical heritage. The two-day event has already generated considerable enthusiasm within the country’s cultural circles.