Tagore talkies

ask any Bengali and he will tell you how Rabindranath Tagore and his works are a part of his/her everyday life. "It is often said that every emotion of joy or sorrow is linked to some quote of Tagore," says noted actor Kamalika Guha Thakurta, who runs the SRIJON Foundation in the city, which actively promotes Rabindrasangeet. This being the centenary year of Tagore winning the Nobel Prize for Literature for his collection of poems Gitanjali, the foundation is organising a memorable performance of music, dance and readings from the Gitanjali.

Kamalika Guha Thakurta will also perform at the show that includes music, dance and readings

Speaking about the initiative, Thakurta said, "This is our annual event with every member performing on the stage. We thought it would be a befitting tribute to Tagore to have readings from Gitanjali and songs and dances based on the book in the show." There will be more than 40 people, from the ages of five to 70, who will be part of the show. "Post interval, there will be a solo recital by the well-known exponent of Rabindrasangeet - Shri Srikanto Acharya," informs Thakurta.

The foundation's roots, Thakurta adds, lie in keeping Bengalis in touch with their culture and traditions. "I have learnt Tagore's music and work since I was a child growing up in Kolkata. When I moved to Mumbai, I felt there was a void and wanted to further pursue my interests. There are so many Bengalis living here, away from their roots. I wanted them to be in touch with Tagore's works. That's the reason I started SRIJON," she says.

The foundation is affiliated with Dakshinee, one of the premier music academies in Kolkata. "One of our areas of focus is children," says Thakurta, "Many of them have not had a taste of the culture that we have experienced in Mumbai. In the face of diverse influences like Bollywood and others, I feel it is important to give children a sense of their cultural roots. We hold classes in Andheri, Kandivli and Powai to teach Tagore's music and philosophy every weekend."

When: August 31, 7.30 pm onwards
Where: Veer Savarkar Auditorium, Shivaji Park, Dadar
entry: R500/300/200
Call: 9820871258, 9820285996u00a0