Jammu, February 21 (Scoop News) – To commemorate 150th birth anniversary of Rabinder Nath Tagore, the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) today organized 2-day State Level Tagore Literary Festival here at Sehgal Hall, which was inaugurated by the Minister for Tourism and Culture, Nawang Rigzin Jora.
During the festival eminent writers, poets, scholars, intellectuals and art lovers shall read out the papers on the life and works of Tagore in 9 languages.
Speaking at the inaugural session, the Minister said that Tagore’s contribution in promotion of country’s cultural ethos and literature would be long remembered. “Tagore’s novels, stories, songs, dance-dramas and plays are even relevant to present day life. We cannot afford to forget Jana Gana Mana – the national anthem composed by him, he in fact has reshaped his times literature and music”, he said and added that Tagore the author of Gitanjali , became the first Indian to bag Noble prize in literature.
Jora said that Academy has drawn road map for celebrations in memory of this great during the year. He said today’s programme shall be followed with a 5-days theatre festival based on life and works of Tagore. He said the Academy would organize an exhibition, state level poetic symposia during this, adding that a special number of Sheeraza would also be brought out in Hindi, English and Urdu languages. He said an on-the-spot painting competition on Tagore is also being organized in first week of March next. He said these activities would also go a long way in promoting art and culture in the state.
Commissioner Secretary, Tourism & Culture, Atul Duloo who also holds the charge of Secretary J&K Academy, in his welcome address threw detailed light on life, workings and contribution of this great poet and writer.
He said during year long celebrations, the Academy is holding series of activities for highlighting the rare works of this great personality. He said Tagore was not only well known poet, writer and painter but also a great philosopher and patriot, adding that his works were translated with equal glory in all languages. He said Centre has sanctioned Rs. 9 lakh for the purpose under which 3-day painting competition, 5-day theatre festival would be organized soon, besides special number Sheeraza in Urdu, Hindi and English would be brought out.
In his key note address, the renowned writer, historian and MLC, M Y Taing highlighted the works of this great poet. Besides deliberating on contribution of this great personality in awaking the country men for freedom, Taing said that Tagore was the foremost personality who has written national anthems for India and Bangladesh. He said Tagore was the first Indian who received noble prize in literature.
Taing said Rabinder Nath Tagore had great love for Kashmir and has visited the valley in 1915 and delivered lecture at SP College Auditorium.
On the first day of the festival, renowned writers, poets and historians, including M. Y. Taing, Ghulam Nabi Khayal, Ghulam Nabi Aatish, Padam Shree Neelam Hardev, Jitinder Udhampuri, Prof. Lalit Malhotra, Naseem Poonchi, Harbajan Sagar, Arsh Sewai, Aiyaz Rasool Nazki, Nawang Sunk, Khushdev Mani and Dr. Lalit Gupta highlighted the works of this great poet.
A large number of writers, poets, scholars and intellectuals of all the regions of the state participated in day one festival.
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