Remembering Tagore

Reported by Rhea Banerjee

Framed picture of Tagore at the program

Mitu Arakkal (left), Kajal Chandra (Middle at the back) and Anu Das on the harmonium, singing 'Akaash Bhora'

Few of the Bengalis who attended, including Anjali Chakraborty (second from far right) and Dr. Sunendho Ghosh (standing at the back)

A programme celebrating Rabindranath Tagore's 146th birth anniversary ( May 8) was held in Anjali Chakraborty's Besant Nagar residence this Sunday, May 13th. About 30 senior Bengalis attended it. This program was organised by the Nikhil Bharath Banga Sahitya Sarmilan (NBBSS).

The NBBSS is a cultural organisation which holds a program in each of its members' residences every month. There is also an annual program, Banga Sahitya Divas, where the best writer is given the 'Reader's Choice Award'. The NBBSS was started towards the end of 1921 in Benaras. This organisation has branches all over India. The Chennai branch was started in 1983 in the Kali Bari temple, West Mambalam, by Meera Rai. A.K. Gupta was the first president of the Chennai branch.

On Sunday, the program started at 7.00 pm with Mitu Arakkal singing the opening song, Tagore's composition Ebar Neerob Kore Dao Mookhor Kobire. Then, others recited Tagore's poems and made short speeches. Dr. Sunendho Ghosh, a member, talked about Tagore's life. Anjali Chakraborty herself talked about Tagore's life and recited one of his poems.

Prakalpa Bhattacharya, a co-ordinators of the program proposed a vote of thanks. Mitu Arakkal wound up the meeting, singing Tagore's Akaash Bhora Surya Taara; everyone joined in.

Next month's program has been scheduled for June 10; it will be held in another member's residence. For further details, contact Dr. Sunendho Ghosh at- 2491 1776.