3 weeks ago
Bengal BJP government tones down Baishe Srabon Tagore observances
Rabindranath Tagore was a very famous poet from Bengal, in India.
He wrote many songs and poems that people still love today.
Every year, people remember the day he died, which is called Baishe Srabon.
Last year, the old state government held a big festival for six whole days with hundreds of singers and artists.
This year, a new state government is in charge.
It has planned only a one-day programme at a place called Rabindra Sadan.
The new leaders say a death anniversary should not be turned into a big celebration.
Some artists are upset because nobody even invited them this time.
They feel the new government does not care much about the poet.
Others disagree and say he is still loved by the people.
The new BJP government in West Bengal is observing Baishe Srabon, Rabindranath Tagore's death anniversary on Saturday, on a far smaller scale than last year's six-day programme.
Only a daylong cultural event is planned at Rabindra Sadan, with floral tributes at Jorasanko Thakurbari and Nimtala Ghat.
Junior I&CA minister Purnima Chakraborty said the government would not turn a 'death anniversary into a celebration,' a remark aimed at the previous Trinamool administration.
Three months ago, the BJP timed its swearing-in on May 9 to Tagore's birth anniversary, with PM Narendra Modi and CM Suvendu Adhikari paying tribute to the poet.
Artists and academics, including Sumantra Sengupta and Pabitra Sarkar, said they received no invitations and accused the government of indifference to Tagore.
- Who
- The new BJP government of West Bengal, including Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and junior I&CA minister Purnima Chakraborty, as well as artists and academics who criticised the reduced observance.
- What
- Baishe Srabon, Rabindranath Tagore's death anniversary, is being observed with a much smaller programme than in previous years.
- Where
- West Bengal, mainly at Rabindra Sadan, with tributes planned at Jorasanko Thakurbari and Nimtala Ghat.
- When
- Saturday this year, on the eve of which The Telegraph reported on the arrangements.
- Why
- The government says a death anniversary should be respected and not turned into a celebration, while critics allege the BJP is deliberately de-emphasising Tagore.
Critics and artists
BJP state government
Scale of the observance
Critics and artists
Artists say no invitations were sent, no preparations were visible, and the event has been quietly scaled down compared with last year's six-day programme.
BJP state government
Officials insist there is no scaling down, with events at Jorasanko, Nimtala Ghat and Rabindra Sadan and floral tributes to the poet.
Celebration vs remembrance
Critics and artists
Tagore aficionados see the subdued programme as proof of the new government's indifference to the poet.
BJP state government
The government says it will observe the death anniversary properly and with due respect, deliberately avoiding turning it into a celebration like the TMC did.
Cultural priorities
Critics and artists
Academics say Tagore's philosophy on religion, Hindu-Muslim relations and nationalism does not suit the BJP's political culture, so it is being de-emphasised.
BJP state government
The government points to its May 9 swearing-in on Tagore's birth anniversary and Suvendu Adhikari's visit to Jorasanko, and promises a bigger birth-anniversary celebration next year.
Key facts
- Event
- Baishe Srabon - Rabindranath Tagore's death anniversary
- Date
- Saturday this year
- Main programme
- Daylong cultural event at Rabindra Sadan
- Other venues
- Jorasanko Thakurbari and Nimtala Ghat (floral tributes)
- Programme title
- "Kabiguru Swarone"
- Last year's observance
- Six-day event, August 8-13, under the Trinamool government
- Chief Minister
- Suvendu Adhikari, who keeps the I&CA portfolio
- Junior I&CA minister
- Purnima Chakraborty
Quotes
Purnima Chakraborty
Junior information and cultural affairs minister, West Bengal BJP
“We will observe the poet’s death anniversary properly and with due respect. Is a death anniversary an occasion to be celebrated? The TMC government did just that.”
telegraphindia.com
“It seems this government does not have much interest in Rabindranath.”
telegraphindia.com
I&CA official
Senior official of the West Bengal I&CA department
“Unlike the practice till last year, there will be no large‑scale observance of Baishe Srabon. The department is yet to have a programme schedule ready for Saturday.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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