Shilaidaha gears up for grand celebration of Rabindranath’s 165th birth anniversary

On the occasion of the 165th birth anniversary (8 May) of Great poet Rabindranath Tagore, the Shilaidaha Kuthibari at Kumarkhali upazila in Kushtia has turned into a lively celebration hub.

The Padma riverside is filled with the essence of Tagore as preparations for a major cultural convergence intensify. Kuthibari is the ancestral home of the poet.

The programme is scheduled to start on May 8.

This time, a three-day programme has been chalked out. The Ministry of Cultural Affairs has organised the programme with the help of the Kushtia District Administration. The expected presence of the Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has further strengthened arrangements, particularly in terms of security and protocol.

The Kuthibari and its surrounding areas filled with decoration, activity, and festive spirit. Across Kushtia, a festive atmosphere prevails, while Tagore enthusiasts are gradually gathering in this historic site.

The connection between Shilaidaha and Rabindranath Tagore—an enduring symbol of Bengali literature, music and philosophy—is deeply significant. It was here, on the banks of the Padma, that Tagore composed numerous poems, songs, short stories, and letters. Works such as Sonar Tori, Chitra, and Khanika, along with countless songs, were profoundly influenced by the landscape and people of Shilaidaha. As a result, the site regains its historical vibrancy every year during his birth anniversary celebrations.

According to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the three-day event will include discussion sessions, cultural performances, Rabindra Sangeet renditions, dance dramas, recitations, art exhibitions, and folk cultural displays. Renowned Rabindra Sangeet artists, reciters, researchers, and cultural personalities from across the country are expected to participate, alongside local artists and cultural organisations.

Extensive preparations are underway at the central venue, the Rabindra Kuthibari complex. Temporary stages, seating arrangements, and security barricades are being constructed for visitors. Alongside law enforcement agencies, various government departments are working in coordination to ensure smooth execution. Security measures have been significantly strengthened in view of the Prime Minister’s potential visit.

Local businesses and tourism stakeholders are also witnessing renewed optimism. Hotel owners, restaurateurs, transport operators, and small traders expect a surge in visitors, which they believe will positively impact local economic activity. Meanwhile, Rabindra enthusiasts from different parts of the country have already begun preparing to travel to Shilaidaha.

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Professor Dr Sarwar Murshed of the Department of Bengali at Islamic University, Kushtia opined that in a time when society is increasingly affected by division, intolerance, and value crises, Tagore’s humanistic philosophy has regained relevance. His literature and music continue to inspire ideals of secularism, aesthetic sensibility, and humanity. Thus, the birth anniversary celebration is not merely a formal event; it is also a rediscovery of Bengali identity and cultural roots.

Kushtia Deputy Commissioner Md Towhid Bin-Hasan stated, “We are giving the highest priority to this national-level event. All departments of the administration are working in coordination to ensure cultural programmes, guest hospitality, visitor facilities, and overall management.”

He further said that special security arrangements have been made across the venue in anticipation of the Prime Minister’s visit, alongside law enforcement agencies.

Against the backdrop of the gentle breeze of the Padma, the silence of Kuthibari, and the lingering presence of Tagore’s memory, Shilaidaha is set to once again become a luminous cultural pilgrimage site on 8 May. There, through songs, poetry, and philosophy, a new generation will rediscover the eternal pulse of Bengali soul.