Gujarat Sahitya Parishad To Host India’s Longest Rabindra Mahotsav
Veteran writer Ravindranath Tagore shared a special connection with Ahmedabad and Gujarati Sahitya Parishad — the mediator of the bond was none other but Mahatma Gandhi. Respecting exclusive invitation by Mahatma Gandhi, Tagore had graced a 3-day Sahitya Parishad conference in Ahmedabad in 1920.
To relive the memories of the unique bond that Tagore shared with Ahmedabad and Gandhiji, Gujarati Sahitya Parishad and Ravindra Bhavan and Western India Cultural Centre have organized one of the country’s longest 7-day Ravindra Mahotsav on a grand scale which begins on May 1 and concludes on May 7 — Tagore’s birth date.
Shailesh Parekh, Tagore scholar and one of the founder members of the Ravindra Bhavan, said, “City has hosted a grand festival as it has a special reason to celebrate 150th year of Tagore’s birth anniversary. Tagore and Gandhiji shared unique bond and deep reverence for each other. Gandhi used to seek blessings of Tagore before he sat on long fasts during freedom struggle. While Tagore also often visited Gandhiji and spent time with him in city. Tagore handed over a letter to Gandhiji while his he visited him last at Shantiniketan in February, 1940 requesting him to take care of Visva Bharti University, the one Tagore founded.”
Rajendra Patel, chief secretary of Parishad, says, “To celebrate Tagore’s special bond with the city and Gujarati literature during the concluding week of Tagore’s ongoing 150th birth anniversary celebrations, Parishad has organized first of its kind and country’s biggest festival having unique interdisciplinary sessions including various art forms like drama, poetry, novel, film and music.”
In a unique effort to explore Tagore’s contribution to various art forms, Parishad has organized a national seminar on May 2 and 3, screening of films on Tagore and films based on Tagore’s works on May 4, drama performance ‘Achalayatan’ on May 5, sessions of Rabindra Sangeet May6. Two books on Tagore’s works in Gujarati language are to be released on May 7.
During the festival,sessions presenting a multidisciplinary analysis of his genius and evaluation of his contribution in fields of poetry, drama, novel and music have taken place.
