Cultural groups, students, and community leaders unite to honour Tagore’s timeless legacy via songs, tributes, and Prabhat Feri
Prayagraj: On (Bangla – 25 Baisakh), the 165th birth anniversary of Poet Laureate Rabindranath Tagore was celebrated with great enthusiasm and dignity at Gol Park, Tagore Town, Prayagraj. The occasion was marked by the participation of several cultural organizations of the city, including the Bengali Social and Cultural Association, Nikhil Bang Sahitiyak Sansthan, Suroshree, Swarvitan, Jagat Taran Education Society, Tagore Town Barwari, George Town Barwari, Rupkatha, Samnantar, the Bengali Social and Cultural Association (North Zone), local councilors, and students of Jagat Taran School. Among them, Purnima Sammelini played a prominent role.
The program began with a Prabhat Feri (morning procession) from the eastern side of Gol Park. Members of Purnima Sammelini sang Tagore’s immortal composition “Kobe ami bahir holem tomari gaan geyei” while walking towards his statue, where they offered floral tributes. Following this, various cultural groups paid homage one after another.
The ceremony saw the presence of dignitaries including Mrs. Sharmila Chatterjee (President, Purnima Sammelini), Mrs. Arnabi Banerjee (President, Bengali Social and Cultural Association – North Zone), Prof. Dr. Asim Mukherjee (President, Bengali Social and Cultural Association), Mr. Shankar Chatterjee (Secretary), Mr. Dilip Dutta (President, Suroshree), Mr. Swapan Samaddar (Secretary), Mrs. Chandana Ghosh (President, Nikhil Bang Sahitiyak Sansthan), Mrs. Dolan Chakraborty (Secretary), Mr. Arun Dev (President, Tagore Town Barwari), Mr. Arindam Ghosh (President, George Town Barwari), Mrs. Archana Das (Swarvitan), Mr. Annu Ghildiyal (Regional Councilor), and Mr. Tripathi (George Town Councilor), among others, who offered garlands at the statue.
After the floral tributes, the program commenced with children of Jagat Taran School singing “Prano bhoriye disha horiye”. This was followed by a soulful group performance of Tagore’s “Aloker ei jhornadharaye dhuye dao” by members of Purnima Sammelini, which mesmerized the audience. Later, Swarvitan presented “O amar desher mati”, and Suroshree performed “Chokher aloye dekhechilem chokher bahire”. Finally, all groups together sang Tagore’s timeless song “Aguner poroshmoni chhoayo prane – ei jibon purno koro” as a collective tribute.
Additionally, floral tributes were offered at Tagore’s grand statue at Commissioner Chowk, Chatham Line, Prayagraj. There too, members of Purnima Sammelini, including Mrs. Sharmila Chatterjee, Mrs. Arnabi Banerjee, Mrs. Bela Mittal, Mrs. Malavika Pandey, Dr. Rama Montrose, Prof. Dr. Kajal Dev, Mrs. Swapna Mukherjee, Mrs. Shubhra Ghosh, Mrs. Aparna Chatterjee, and Mrs. Chandana Ghosh, sang “Kobe ami bahir holem tomari gaan geyei” in unison to honor the poet.
This celebration was not only an occasion to remember the literary and cultural legacy of Rabindranath Tagore, but also a symbol of unity and enthusiasm in the cultural life of Prayagraj. The participation of diverse organizations conveyed the message that Tagore’s creations continue to inspire society and connect us to our cultural roots.
