The Indian and Bangladeshi communities are getting together to mark the 150th Birth Anniversary of polymath Rabindranath Tagore, one of the most celebrated sons of India on May 7, 2011.
Auckland Indian Association is hosting the free-entry public event organised by the New Zealand Indian Central Association at the Mahatma Gandhi Centre.
Wellington based Victoria University Humanities & Social Science Faculty Deputy Dean Professor Sekhar Bandyopadhyay will be the Guest Speaker.
The programme will include cultural performances by artistes representing the Probasee Bengalee Association and the Bangladesh Association of New Zealand.
Indian High Commissioner Retired Admiral Sureesh Mehta and National MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi initiated the idea to celebrate Tagore’s 150th Birthday, which falls on May 7.
The life and times of Tagore spanned the 19th and 20th centuries and his works included essays, plays, novels and music.
Educated abroad, Tagore abandoned his aspirations to become a barrister and returned home for an early marriage and to dwell deep in the world of literature.
As well as a master in literature, Tagore wrote short stories and plays.
He established Shantiniketan (now University town) in his home state, from where he wrote most of his classics. The town (earlier known as Bhubandanga) has also become a major tourist attraction.
He wrote ‘Jana Gana Mana,’ the National Anthem of India.
Rendered first at the Calcutta (Kolkata) Session of the Indian National Congress on December 27, 1911, the Indian Government adopted it as the National Anthem on January 24, 1950, when the country was declared a Republic.
In 2010, UNESCO declared it as the Best National Anthem in the world.
Tagore also wrote, ‘Amar Shonar Bangla,’ which became the National Anthem of Bangladesh in 1972.
What: Sesquicentennial of Rabindranath Tagore
By Whom: New Zealand Indian Central Association
Where: Mahatma Gandhi Centre, 145 New North Road
Eden Terrace, Auckland
When: Saturday, May 7, 2011 at 5 pm
Contact: Prakash Biradar on (09) 6242177 or 0273701798
Email: pgbiradar@yahoo.com
Raj Singh Thandi on 021-333604
Email: raj.thandi@rdgarphix.co.nz
