Dhaka, May 8: The Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy has launched the national celebration of the birth anniversary of the world-renowned poet Rabindranath Tagore. This year’s theme for the occasion has been set as “Rabindranath and Bangladesh.”

The song “Amar Sonar Bangla, Ami Tomay Bhalobashi” (My Golden Bengal, I Love You), written by Rabindranath Tagore, is the national anthem of Bangladesh and holds a deep place in the nation’s collective consciousness. During the Liberation War of Bangladesh, Tagore’s poetry and songs served as boundless sources of courage and inspiration for the people.

Even more than 150 years after his birth, Tagore remains a luminous presence in Bengali literature and the cultural consciousness of the Bengali people. His writings brilliantly express the emotions, desires, and experiences of the human condition. Whether in moments of crisis, sorrow, joy, or peace, his poetry and songs continue to inspire and provide strength.

Rabindranath Tagore’s contributions to world literature earned him international acclaim. In 1913, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for his collection Gitanjali, making him the first Asian Nobel laureate in literature—a historic milestone.

In observance of his birth anniversary, a three-day national program has begun today, the 25th of Boishakh (May 8), at the historic Rabindra Kuthibari in Shilaidaha, Kushtia. The celebrations will continue until the 27th of Boishakh (May 10). The event is open to the public and includes cultural performances, discussions, poetry recitations, and renditions of Rabindra Sangeet (Tagore’s songs).

Organizers hope the celebrations will further deepen the public’s appreciation and understanding of Tagore’s legacy and his enduring influence on the cultural and spiritual fabric of Bangladesh.