Shillong, May 13:The 165th birth anniversary of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore was commemorated for three days in Rilbong.
Brookside was the main venue.
Tagore visited the Brookside first before staying briefly in other parts of the city
Brookside inspired Tagore to pen his acclaimed novel Sesher Kobita.
Various programmes were held on May 7, 8 and 9.
Rabindra Sangeet formed part of the morning function on May 9.
Tagore admirers from different parts of Shillong participated.
Director of Arts and Culture I.Majaw, who was the Chief Guest, was welcomed by the organisers with Uttorio and a book.
Majaw lit the ceremonial lamp to commemorate the birth anniversary.
She paid floral tribute before the statue of Tagore, followed by senior citizens of Rilbong and others.
The young and the old performed on the occasion.
Majaw urged people to emulate Tagore’s philosophy and ideology, as the world longs for peace and harmony
The organiser of the floral tribute event, Malabika Bisharad, spoke about Tagore’s visit to Brookside in October 1919 and other places in Shillong during 1923 and 1927.
Children from different parts of the city and the Tagore admirers attended the morning function. There were many visitors from West Bengal.
Sharmistha Bhattacharjee sang Rabindra Sangeet in the Dimasa language.
Sweets were distributed to all the Tagore admirers and people present on the occasion.
This year, the Department of Arts and Culture commemorated Tagore Jayanti in advance. The programme started on May 7 by holding the painting competition for the students in the Rabindranath Tagore Art Gallery.
On the evening of May 8, a multicultural programme was organised in Rilbong Sports and Cultural Club Auditorium.
Principal Secretary, Arts & Culture, FR Kharkongor was the chief guest. N.Munish Singh, Regional Director ICCR was the guest of honour, and Chief Electoral Officer BDR Tiwari was the Special Guest.
Artists from different communities besides the Khasi & Garo students performed on the occasion.
Members of Rilbong Sports and Cultural Club welcomed the chief guest and other guests in the traditional way.
A book on Tagore written by Uma Purkayastha was released.
The book ‘Brookside’ narrates the history of the Brookside bungalow.
Currently, the construction of the Tagore Cultural Complex is in progress at Brookside by department of Arts and Culture.
Malabika Bisharad presented a book and Tagore’s photo to the chief guest. Kharkongor explained about Tagore’s philosophy and its relevance.
He handed over prizes to the participants of the art competition.
N. Munish Singh thanked the participants and the performers.
To commemorate Tagore’s 165th birth anniversary, the department of Arts and Culture had constituted a committee with Singh, K.Rynjah, Archivist, Directorate of Arts and Culture, Shillong, Angie C Marbaniang, Assistant Librarian, State Central Library, Shillong, Bibhuti Chakraborty, General Secretary, Rilbong Sports and Cultural Club and Malabika Bisharad, Tagore admirer and writer under the leadership of Director Arts and Culture Meghalaya. The event was organised by Rilbong Sports and Cultural Club in collaboration with Arts and Culture Meghalaya and ICCR Shillong.
