Celebration of the birthday of Rabindranath Tagore on 25^th Baishakh (falling on May, 7/8) is one of the most widely observed and popular cultural festival in West Bengal. Rabindra Jayanti – the birthday of poet Rabindranath that falls on ‘Pachishe Baisakh’ is celebrated every year in West Bengal particularly in and around Kolkata with dedication, admiration and passion. On this occasion Rabindra lovers in general and people of Bengal (both Bangladesh and West Bengal) remember Rabindranath Tagore through his poems, songs, drama, dance drama and through other writings.

The occasion has assumed almost a shape of a so called festival. All cultural associations and groups in towns and villages of Bengal celebrate this day with programmes of song, dance and drama composed by Tagore. Meetings and seminars are held for discussion on the different aspects of his encyclopedic personality. It is the official function of Rabindra Bharati University.

The overwhelming enthusiasm of the people is clearly evident from the fact that one program after another comes up in the city of Kolkata and the suburbs, in presence of thousands of eager audience. It is very heartening to observe that the response of the cultural minds are spontaneous and very effective.

The main functions are held in the ‘Jorasanko Thakurbari’ – the ancestral house of the Tagore family where the poet was born and died, and in the Rabindra Sadan premises which may be termed as the cultural ‘Kaba’ of Kolkata. In Jorasanko Thakurbari enthusiastic visitors congregate since early morning, in the singing of Rabindra Sangeet and the recitation of poetry or to simply revel in the genius of India’s first Nobel Laureate. The morning environment vibrates with recitation of Tagore’s poems and songs. At six in the morning – the function starts with Kabi Pranam and the song is “Hey nutan dekha dik ar bar…”

Rabindra Jayanti Function

Every year the museum that preserves the articles having association with the poet, his manuscripts, family articles, rare photographs, etc, is kept open for the public. The Rabindra Bharati University authority releases a number of publication on this auspicious day. The university authority organises a function where eminent exponents of Rabindrasangeet and distinguished recitationists presents their performance. People from all over Kolkata and around assembles at Jorasanko Thakurbari to participate in the festivity.

The other centres of celebration are Sadar Street, Nazrul Mancha, Sisir Mancha etc where popular artists performed Rabindrasangeet, drama, dance drama, recitation etc. Incidentally it may be mentioned that Biswa Bharati University authority observes Rabindra Jayanti conventionally on the first day of Baisakh. Besides all these Rabindranath is remembered in various localities, clubs and other organisations.

Outside the familiar festivals of songs, dance, recitation etc. there are some unusual and unconventional events like ‘Boi Mela’ (Book fair), exhibitions of photographs and documents highlighting the poet’s views on different social and political issues.

In these days of cultural decadents and devaluation, communal disharmony Rabindranath’s thinking as well as his songs and poems comes to us as a powerful weapon against all negative forces and on each Rabindra jayanti we discover the poet for rejuvenation of our cultural and social values.