The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Today is Shraban 22 of the Bengali month, the 67th death anniversary of the Nobel Laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore. He died on this day in 1941.

Rabindranath Tagore has a great contribution in the arena of Bengali literature. He is the greatest poet of the Bengal. His wonderful creations not only confined to poetry, he virtually left no field of literature untraced in his lifetime and every field of literature in Bengali was illuminated by his touch whether it is song, story, novel, drama, travel or essays. His influence is such that neither his contemporaries nor the following generation could come out of his style and influence completely.

He is the only Nobel Laureate in Literature in Bengali - also only in the Sub-Continent. He won the Nobel Prize in 1913 for his great composition 'Geetanjali.' After so many years Bengali language could not produce any giant except Kazi Nazrul Islam, our poet of revolution.

Like previous years, the day will be observed elsewhere in the globe especially in Bangladesh and the West Bengal, India in befitting manner. Many cultural organisations organise various programmes to mark the 67th death anniversary of Tagore.

In Bangladesh, the day will be observed with pride, due respect and to pay homage to him. Television channels will air various special programs including musical soiree, dance, recitation and discussions today.

BTV, Bangladesh Betar, ATN Bangla, Channel i, Ekushey Television, NTV, RTV, Banglavision and Channel 1 will air various special daylong programmes to mark the day.

Besides, newspapers and magazines will publish articles and reviews and different cultural and social organisations will exhibit their performances.

Rabindranath Tagore is not only a poet of the West Bengal - he is equally honoured and equally respected in Bangladesh.

Nobody can confine a language with borders. So Rabindranath will be read and respected wherever there is Bengali spoken people are staying. Many of his literature were written in Bangladesh territory in Shilaidaha and Sajadpur. Most important, one of his songs 'Amar Sonar Bangla, Ami Tomai Bhalobashi……' is the national anthem of Bangladesh.

Rabindranath Tagore became a part of the culture and part of the identity of Bangladesh where religion didn't cause any hindrance in this assimilation.