Rabindra Jayanti Festivals - रवींद्र जयंती समारोह

The city of Kolkata throbs with vibrant life forces and is a hub of cultural activities throughout the ages. The many fairs and festivals here are celebrated with gaiety and, enthusiasm. Though originally Ravindra Jayanti consisted of small groups, now it has gained the popularity of a festival. Cultural association in Kolkata and surrounding villages celebrate this day with programs of songs, dance and recitals. Rabindra Bharathi University in Kolkata participates with gusto in this festival.

Rabindra Jayanti (Celebration of the birthday of Rabindra Tagore) falling on May,7/8 is the most widely observed cultural festival in West Bengal. All cultural associations and groups in town and village celebrate this day with programmes of song, dance and drama composed by Tagore which run for days together. Meeting and seminars are held for discussion on the different aspects of his encyclopedic personality. Another cultural mela on an ambitious scale is the Banga Samsriti Sammelan held annually in Calcutta. Usually a 15-day festival it represents all the different features of Bengali performing arts, traditional and modern, rural and urban. The Sammelan has came to acquire a highly representative character.

Jorasanko Thakurbari where Rabindranath was born is considered as a heritage property in Kolkata. It is the main venue of all cultural activities during Ravindra Jayanti.

Rabindra Sadan premise is another important venue. Many of the writer's plays and dramas are staged here and people flock with great enthusiasm even to this day.

Rabindra Sangeet, the genre of songs named after the singer writer can be heard in all nooks of Kolkata on this special day. The function starts six in the morning and continues throughout the day.

Every year the museum in Rabindra Bharathi University put on display all the articles that are associated with the poet. His manuscripts, glasses, family articles, and photographs are for all to see.

Shantiniketan in West Bengal is another destination that celebrated this occasion with equal fervor. It is the university started by Rabindranath Tagore and is famed to have trained many a famous personalities including Indira Gandhi.

---