Tagore's 156th birth anniversary observed

The 156th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore was today observed in West Bengal and elsewhere with programmes organised in the Visva-Bharati University, founded by Tagore, among other places.
In the state-run Nandan-Rabindra Sadan cultural complex, a fortnight-long celebration was inaugurated by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who talked about the universal appeal of Tagore.
"Tagore is ageless and he is universal. His thinkings should continue to inspire us," Banerjee said referring to how she, like numerous Bengalis, "continue to be motivated by 'Gurudev through his songs and poems."
At Tagore's ancestral home 'Jorasanko Thakur Bari' in north Kolkata, cultural programmes started early in the morning and continued for the rest of the day.

Students, attired in traditional Bengali dresses, sang and danced to the Bard's compositions.
BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya and national secretary Rahul Sinha visited Jorasanko campus during the day.

In both Rabindra Sadan-Nandan and Jorasanko compounds, special little magazine issues, brought out by young Bengali poets on the occasion of 'Pochise Boisakh' (as the Bard's birthday is called), were on display for sale along with art works like wall hangings with lines of his poems embossed on it.
In the Visva Bharati, the ashramites celebrated the birth anniversary of 'Gurudev' with songs and prayers.
With Bengal observing a state holiday on the bard's birth anniversary, 'Rabindra Jayanti' functions were being organised in every locality during the afternoon.

'Prabhat Pheris' were taken out in many areas early in the morning, as women, clad in cotton sarees and men in dhoti kurtas, sang 'Rabindra Sangeet' and performed skits on road.
A select few recipes sourced from the book, "Amish O Niramish Randhan" by Prajnasundari Devi, a niece of Tagore, published in 1900, are being showcased at a three-day festival "Janmadiner Khaowadawa" (Birthday Feast) at the Nalban Food Park and was inaugurated today.