Collage Photo -BSS

KHULNA, May 6, 2026 (BSS) – Preparations are underway in Khulna’s historic Pithabhog and Dakshindihi villages to celebrate the 165th birth anniversary of Nobel Laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore on May 8 with a three-day programme featuring cultural events, discussions and traditional fairs.

The celebrations, themed “Rabindranath: Poet of Peace and Humanity”, will be held at the Dakshindihi Rabindra Complex in Phultala upazila and the Rabindra Memorial Museum at Pithabhog village in Rupsha upazila under the initiative of the district administration following directives from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.

The programmes will begin on Friday with cultural performances, folk fairs, recitations, drama and discussions on Tagore’s philosophy and social thoughts.

A festive atmosphere already prevails in the two villages, which are closely linked to the poet’s ancestral and marital history. Alongside Rabindra enthusiasts from across the country, local residents are also eagerly awaiting the celebrations.

A visit to Pithabhog on Tuesday revealed extensive preparations at the Rabindra Memorial Museum, where an open stage, a bust of the poet, a reading room and displays of Tagore’s photographs and genealogical records have been arranged for visitors.

Local sources said alpana artworks inspired by Santiniketan traditions are drawn every year during the celebrations. Large crowds from distant areas gather at the venue to attend cultural programmes and the traditional fair.

According to district administration sources, Tagore’s ancestral roots trace back to Pithabhog village in present-day Rupsha upazila. His forefathers from the Kushari family later became known as the “Thakur” family after settling in Kolkata centuries ago.

The ancestral homestead in Pithabhog remained abandoned and illegally occupied for many years before the government recovered it in 1995. Archaeological excavations were conducted there in the 2011-12 fiscal year, and the site is now managed by the Department of Archaeology as the Rabindra Memorial Museum.

Barun Kushari, a descendant of the Tagore lineage and caretaker of the site, told BSS that the fair held at Pithabhog during Rabindra Jayanti is among the largest cultural fairs in Bangladesh.

“Thousands of visitors come here every year. Besides books on Rabindranath, various traditional foods and handicrafts are sold at the fair,” he said.

Chayarani, daughter-in-law of another descendant of the Tagore family, said local women traditionally wear yellow sarees with red borders during the celebrations, creating a colourful cultural atmosphere.

Meanwhile, Dakshindihi village, located about 28 kilometres west of Khulna city, is known as the residence of Tagore’s in-laws. The poet married Mrinalini Devi, daughter of Beni Madhab Roy Chowdhury of Dakshindihi, in 1883.

Although plans were taken nearly three decades ago to establish a full-fledged Rabindra cultural complex there in the style of Santiniketan, much of the project still remains unfulfilled.

District administration sources said the government recovered the historic house from illegal occupiers in 1995 and later brought it under the Department of Archaeology in 2000. Some renovation works, boundary walls, sculptures and the “Mrinalini Mancha” stage have since been constructed, but proposed facilities such as a research centre, modern library, auditorium, rest house and tourist infrastructure are yet to be implemented.

The Dakshindihi Rabindra Memorial Museum received official recognition in 2016, while entry tickets for local and foreign visitors were introduced in 2015.

Local cultural activists said a complete Rabindra cultural centre in Dakshindihi could significantly boost tourism and cultural development in the southern region.

As part of the birth anniversary celebrations, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Khan MP will inaugurate the main programme at Dakshindihi Rabindra Complex at 3 pm on May 8 as chief guest.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit MP, Whip Rokibul Islam Bokul MP and several lawmakers and senior officials will attend as special guests.

Former Khulna University Treasurer Prof Mohammad Mazharul Hannan will deliver the memorial lecture, while Khulna Deputy Commissioner Meher-e-Jannat will preside over the programme.

At Pithabhog, Additional Divisional Commissioner (Revenue) Sifat Mehnaz will inaugurate the programme as chief guest. Educationist and researcher Prof Abdul Mannan will present the memorial lecture.

Deputy Director of the Local Government Division Md Ariful Islam told BSS that all preparations for the separate programmes at Dakshindihi and Pithabhog have already been completed.