The two-day 44th Jatiya Rabindra Sangeet Sammelan began on Friday at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
Organised by the Jatiya Rabindra Sangeet Sammelan Parishad, the event features songs, dance recitals, music competitions, seminars, and an awards ceremony.
It was inaugurated by Dhaka University Professor Emeritus Serajul Islam Choudhury.
At the inaugural ceremony, Serajul Islam Choudhury stated that the recent emergence of fundamentalist factions in the country is rooted in a scramble for power and wealth, which stems from a systemic crisis in the imperialist and capitalist world.
‘The colonial powers always want to destroy culture. Because only by destroying culture will people agree to remain politically subjugated,’ he said, adding that bourgeois rulers are now opposing the culture of the masses.
He also stressed the importance of reading Tagore’s philosophy even more than his poetry because of his political awareness regarding discrimination and exploitation.
The general secretary of the parishad, Lily Islam, delivered the welcome speech at the event, which was chaired by the president of the organisation, Mafidul Haque.
Lily Islam said that Tagore is the core of Bengali consciousness and that they practice the music of Bengal—including Nazrul Sangeet and the songs of the Panchakabi—alongside Tagore’s songs.
Mafidul Haque noted that music is often practiced informally, but it now needs to become a formal part of schooling.
On the closing day, the final participants of a nationwide musical contest will perform at the venue.
The Jatiya Rabindra Sangeet Sammelan Parishad has had more than 700 artistes across 82 branches nationwide since 1979.
