Recitals, exhibitions mark 150 years of Tagore in West Bengal

The 150th birth anniversary of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore was celebrated on Monday across West Bengal amid recital of his songs and through a series of programmes that included cultural functions and exhibitions.

The doors to Jorasanko Thakurbari — the ancestral home of the Tagore family in central Kolkata where Tagore was born — were thrown open from 6 a.m. for admirers to come in and pay tributes to the national poet.

While a large section of the house is a museum, some rooms usually closed to the public were made open to visitors during the day. An exhibition of photographs of the poet was put up for view on the pavement just outside the building.

Celebrations and prayers at Vishva Bharati — the university founded by the poet at Shantiniketan — began at dawn with the

Boitalik — a procession of the University's students going around the campus singing songs penned by the poet.

Keenly anticipated is a piano recital on the instrument used by the poet himself scheduled to be held on Tuesday.

Governor M.K. Narayanan presided over a function here that was a part of the joint-celebration by India and Bangladesh. Bangladesh State Minister for Cultural Affairs Promod Mankin was present at the occasion, in which artists from both countries had gathered.

Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee were also in attendance.

Cultural events and concerts, reprising Tagore's works, including dance dramas, plays and songs were held across the State. Exhibitions of paintings, whether of his works or those of artists inspired by him, were also organised.