Author: R.K. Radhakrishnan
Publication: The Hindu
Date: May 6, 2011
URL: http://www.hindu.com/2011/05/06/stories/2011050658222200.htm
The Government of Sri Lanka will release on
May 7, a postal stamp and first day cover on Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore,
on the occasion of his 150th birth anniversary celebrations.
The stamp, priced at LKR 5, will be released
by Minister for Postal Services Jewan Kumaranathunga at a function presided
over by Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Ashok K. Kantha, said the Indian
Deputy High Commissioner, Vikram Misri, here.
Sri Lankan Minister for Cultural Affairs and
Arts T.B. Ekanayake, will release 'Remembering Rabindranath Tagore,' a commemorative
volume edited by Sandagomi Coperahewa and published by the University of Colombo.
The volume contains 15 articles in English, Sinhala and Tamil and highlights
the concerns and philosophy of Tagore and his contribution to life and literature,
said Professor Coperahewa.
The events for the celebrations are being
organised by the Indian Cultural Centre in association with the Bangladesh
High Commission, Sri Lankan Ministries and Universities, the Tagore Society
of Sri Lanka and the India-Sri Lanka Foundation.
Tagore visited Sri Lanka thrice - 1922, 1930
and 1934 - and was instrumental in the renaissance of its culture. He wrote
the national anthem for two countries - India and Bangladesh - and influenced
the anthem in Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan national anthem was written by Ananda
Samarakoon, most probably in 1939-40, while he was Tagore's disciple at Visva-Bharati
University. Samarakoon's first Shantiniketan stint ended after six months
but he heralded a new brand of Sinhalese music influenced by Rabindra sangeeth.
Over the next year, the life and works of
Tagore will form the centrepieces of numerous events being organised by the
Indian government and several Sri Lankan organisations, said Mr. Misri. A
Tagore Day will be celebrated on May 6 at the University of Colombo. Essay
writing competitions for college students, exposition of Rabindra sangeeth,
are also being held.
