Rudro Alokey Esho - a musical tribute to Rabindranath Tagore

Rudro Alokey Esho, a musical tribute to Rabindranath Tagore by five renowned Tagore artistes, was held on his 148th birth anniversary at the Ballroom of Hotel Sheraton. Organised by Channel 1, the event featured talented artistes Papia Sarwar, Kaderi Kibria, Rezwana Chowdhury Bannya, Lily Islam and Fahim Hossain Choudhury.

Professor Majidul Islam, director Channel 1 welcomed the audience, while stating that the event was the fulfillment of a long cherished dream. The event was telecast live on Channel 1.

Rezwana Chowdhury Bannya was the moderator of the event and gave a background of the songs performed at the programme.

Beginning with a choral rendition of the song “Anondolokey, mongol alokey”, each artiste presented two songs. Fahim Hossain Choudhury, the first performer, presented a devotional song,” Bharia e deho pran.” Bannya explained the essence of Tagore’s devotional songs. In her words, “Tagore’s creations are enriched with a multidimensional significance. His spiritual understanding of an omnipresent Creator is reflected in his devotional songs that guide the human being to be a complete soul through all his human experiences.” Fahim Hossain Chowdhury also rendered the song ” Chhinno patar sajai taroni.”

The songs of Prokriti Parjay (nature) contain Tagore’s unique philosophy and aesthetic thoughts through the admiration of nature. Most of these songs are the products of a more mature Rabindranath. In fact, the last phases of his life were mostly devoted to writing such songs. In the end, he found God through His creations. Artiste Lily Islam performed the first song of Prokriti Parjay (nature), as found in Geetanjali–”Akash Bhora Surjo Tara” where the admiration for nature mingles with a profound spiritual emotion. Lily’s next song was ” Tumi je surer agun lagiey diley”, a song from the Puja Parjay(devotional).

In her magical voice, Papia Sarwar enthralled the audience with the songs ” Barisho dhara majhey shantiro bari,” a song that calls for eternal peace for a troubled human race, and ” Amar moner koner bairey” a song from Prem Parjay (love), which deals with the lure of love.

Kaderi Kibria rendered the song “Hey Nutan, dekha dik arabar jonmero prothomo shubhokhan”, a Tagore song that commemorated the poet’s own birthday. An interesting sidelight: Sarala Devi, the poet’s niece first took the initiative to celebrate his birthday long before the poet became a cultural Icon. Later, in his lifetime, Tagore’s birthday was celebrated with much enthusiasm in Shantiniketan, the institution that upheld Tagore’s philosophical and cultural beliefs.

Kibria’s second song was ” Sunil sagorey, shyamolo kinarey”. Though some differ, the song is thought to be inspired by deep relationship of Tagore and Victoria Ocampo, whom he met in Argentina at the age of 60, said Bannya. Tagore renamed Victoria as Vijaya, conveying the Bengali meaning of her name.

Bannya herself was the last performer of the event. She first rendered a song from the Puja parjay (devotional genre), ” Amar hiyar majhey lukiey chhiley.” There are some devotional songs, which are very difficult to distinguish from Tagore’s love songs; the above she said was an example. However, she ended her performance with a pure love song, ” O je manena mana.”

The entertaining event wrapped up with another choral rendition: ” Gram chhara oi rangamatir path.”