The 164th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore was celebrated nationwide, with the government and cultural organisations hosting events on Thursday.

The celebrations featured a range of activities, including music, theater, recitations, lectures, and award ceremonies throughout the country.

This year’s main event was held in Shilaidaha, Kushtia, under the theme ‘Rabindranath and Bangladesh’. Other commemorations are taking place in Patisar, Shahjadpur, Dakshindihi, and Pithavog.

Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki joined the Shilaidaha event virtually at 9:30 am on Thursday. Cultural Secretary Md Mofidul Rahman presided over the event, attended by senior officials and cultural figures.

Additional Secretary Md Farhad Siddique delivered the welcome speech, followed by a keynote by Professor Mansur Musa. Special remarks were delivered by Dr Nakib Mohammad Nasrullah, Vice-Chancellor of Islamic University, Kushtia.

Deputy Commissioner of Kushtia Md Toufiqul Rahman delivered the vote of thanks at the end of the session. Artists of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy performed group dances, solo and duet songs during the cultural segment.

Cultural organisation Chhayanaut is hosting a two-day Tagore festival at its Dhanmondi auditorium in Dhaka. The festival began Thursday at 6:30 pm, with solo and group songs, dance, and poetry recitations.

Artists from Chhayanaut and invited performers are taking part in the open-to-all event. According to Chhayanaut, the programs are being held each evening starting at 6:30 pm.

This year, the Rabindra Award 2025 was awarded to Dr Asim Dutta and AMM Mohiuzzaman Chowdhury Moyna. Bangla Academy announced the recipients on Wednesday, and the academy has presented this award to two individuals annually since 2010.

The awards were presented Thursday at an event hosted by Bangla Academy in Dhaka. The event featured a solo lecture and cultural performances in honor of Rabindranath Tagore.

Professor Mohammad Azam, director general of Bangla Academy, delivered the welcome speech. The keynote was delivered by Professor Syed Azizul Haque, with Professor Abul Kashem Fazlul Haque presiding.

Theatre troupe Swapnodol staged the play ‘Helen Keller’ on Thursday evening at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Studio Theatre Hall. Written by Apurba Kumar Kundu and directed by Zahid Ripon, the play tells a story of courage over adversity.

Later at 11pm, Bangladesh Television aired Swapnodol’s production of ‘Chitrangada’, one of the most performed plays written by Rabindranath Tagore. The play was also directed by Zahid Ripon and produced specially for the occasion.

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy  arranged cultural performances, documentaries, and an art exhibition. A special event titled ‘Anandojogge Amar Nimantron' will be held on May 9, Friday at the National Theatre Hall.

Mohammad Wares Hossain, secretary and acting director general of the Academy, will chair the event. Mehjabeen Rahman, Director of Music, Dance, and Recitation, will deliver the welcome speech.

Performers will include dance troupe Bhavna and both renowned and emerging Rabindra Sangeet artists. The program is part of the Academy’s national-level celebration of Tagore’s legacy.

Bangladesh Shishu Academy is also holding special programs for children on this occasion.

Meanwhile, portraits, poems, and biographical materials are on display across roads and districts.

Bangladeshi embassies abroad are also observing the day with cultural programs and exhibitions.

The ministry of cultural affairs has printed 600 souvenir booklets and 20,000 posters to mark the event.

Deputy commissioners have formed local committees with cultural figures and researchers to celebrate with due honor.

Born on 25 Baishakh, 1268 in Jorasanko, Kolkata, Rabindranath Tagore was the 14th child of Debendranath and Sarada Devi. He took the literature of Bengal into new dimensions through his poetry, prose, and songs.

In 1913, he won the Nobel Prize for Gitanjali, elevating the global stature of the Bengali language. His song ‘Amar Shonar Bangla’ was later adopted as the national anthem of Bangladesh.