The Bengal celebrates Rabindra Jayanti with senior citizen members of Pronam
Kolkata:On the evening of 12th May 2023, leading NGO, The Bengal, celebrated ‘Rabindra Jayanti’ with more than 300 senior citizen members of Pronam at the Body Guard Lines auditorium in Kolkata. A cultural program, celebrating the philosophy and literary works of Kavi Guru Rabindranath Tagore, was organized to mark his 162nd Birth Anniversary.
The thoughts of Tagore guides us in all aspects of our life. His poetry emphasizes the importance of respecting the beauty of nature in all its forms, valuing sustainability, and recognizing humanity as the only religion that unites us all. Gurudev once said, “I slept and dreamt that Life was Joy. I awoke and saw Life was Service. I acted and behold Service was Joy.”
At the Rabindra Jayanti cultural programme, danseuse Ms Priti Patel, a Board member of The Bengal and an exponent of Manipuri dance, in her opening speech lauded The Bengal’s ongoing efforts to assist senior citizens through Project Pronam; and their dedication to promote Bengal’s literary heritage through cultural events like Rabindra Jayanti. Ms Patel personally welcomed the senior citizen members of ‘Pronam’ who attended the program.
”The Bengal constantly helps senior citizens through Pronam by organizing cultural programmes for not only promoting culture but also to create opportunities for recreation and engagement for their mental well being. One could see the success of the programme from the enthusiastic response of the audience. I think a very meaningful and noble work is being done with these senior citizens who now know they are not alone or neglected any more. I am glad I attended the programme and met so many loving Pronam members.”
The musical performances included melodious Rabindra sangeet songs by Smt Promita Mullick, Smt Debaroti Som, Sri Swapan Som, and beloved Pronam members Sri Abir Chatterjee and Sri Debashish Roy. Sri Sitanshu Roy and Sri Tarun Das provided instrumental accompaniment to make the evening even more enchanting.
Smt Priti Patel delighted ‘Pronam’ members with an excerpt from Rabindranath Tagore’s ‘Chitrangada’, accompanied by a beautiful song sung by Smt Promita Mullick. The senior citizens gave Ms Priti Patel a standing ovation in appreciation of her wonderful performance. Compere Chandan Mazumdar said, “When lovers of art unite, it seems that in the words of Tagore, ‘Music fills the infinite between two souls’.”
During the event, Smt Sushmita Sarkar and Sri Rabin Mazumdar recited Kabi Guru’s ‘Jhorer Kheya’ and ‘Africa’.
The program concluded with a performance of a final song by Mr Anindya Narayan Biswas. The elderly audience was mesmerized and thoroughly entertained and expressed their deepest gratitude to Pronam for a memorable evening.