May 13th 2024.
Over the weekend in the bustling city of Rourkela, a special event took place at the Bhanja Bhawan Auditorium. It was a heartfelt tribute to the great poet, Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, on his 163rd birth anniversary. Titled 'Unmesh', the function was a soul-stirring recital of his famous compositions, Rabindra Sangeet. The audience was captivated by the enchanting performances and showed their appreciation throughout the event.
This celebration was not limited to Rourkela alone. It spread across 11 states and included more than 1,100 talented artists who sang 20 of the poet's most beloved works. The recital began at 11 am and lasted for an hour and forty minutes, with non-stop singing of Tagore's poems.
One of the most beloved and well-known compositions of Gurudev, 'Ekla Chalo Re', was also performed at the event. The entire programme was organized by Geetimalya, a music organization dedicated to Rabindra Sangeet. While their performances were usually held in Kolkata, this time, they took it to a national level. The lead singers, Susmita Naskar and Rakhi from Cuttack, along with 105 other artists from Odisha, made this event a truly memorable experience.
Susmita, who spoke at the event, expressed her gratitude for being a part of such a special occasion. She emphasized the importance of live performances and how it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for all the artists. She also mentioned that out of the 105 participants, 16 were from Cuttack, 5 from Bhubaneswar, and a whopping 84 from Rourkela. It was heartwarming to see so many Odias coming together to pay tribute to Gurudev.
Mana Chakraborty, the organizer of Geetimalya, stressed the fact that Rabindranath Tagore and his music belonged to everyone, not just the Bengali community. This statement was proven true by the enthusiastic response of the diverse audience. The simplicity and beauty of Rabindra Sangeet touched the hearts of all those present.
The audience members, like Bisu and Sharmila, thoroughly enjoyed the performances and felt privileged to be a part of such a wonderful event. They were amazed by the hard work and dedication put in by the artists, who trained for over eight months to perfect their renditions. Koyena Dastidar, the coordinator of the programme, expressed her gratitude to Susmita for her tireless efforts in training a mix of both experienced and amateur artists. The practice sessions were held in various locations across Rourkela, such as Civil Township, Basanti Colony, and Koel Nagar.
The recital was a unique experience as it was performed without any accompanying musicians. The artists sang to pre-recorded tracks, showcasing their true talent and passion for Rabindra Sangeet. The event was not limited to Rourkela; it was also live-streamed on YouTube, reaching audiences in states like MP, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Kolkata, Assam, New Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana.
Overall, it was a memorable event that showcased the universal appeal and timeless beauty of Rabindra Sangeet. It was a fitting tribute to the legendary poet and his invaluable contributions to the world of music.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
