The nation is celebrating the 165th birth anniversary of Bishwakabi Rabindranath Tagore today (on Friday) with profound dignity and a festive spirit.

Born on May 7, 1861 (25 Baishakh, 1268 in the Bengali calendar) at the Jorasanko mansion in Kolkata, the polymath poet, philosopher, playwright and painter continues to stand as one of the most influential cultural figures of South Asia.

It was in 1913 that Rabindranath Tagore achieved the historic milestone of becoming the first Asian to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for his work Gitanjali, a collection of deeply spiritual and lyrical poems that garnered him immense international acclaim.

The Ministry of Cultural Affairs has organized a comprehensive three-day national program to observe the occasion across the country, with primary state functions held in locations steeped in the poet's memory, such as Shilaidaha in Kushtia.

Parallel cultural events and commemorative gatherings are also taking place in Patisar of Naogaon and Shahjadpur of Sirajganj to honor his legacy.

In the capital, the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy has organized special cultural performances, while educational institutions nationwide are engaging students through discussion meetings, essay competitions, and cultural functions.

To mark this significant milestone, both the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and Bangla Academy have undertaken initiatives to publish and distribute commemorative posters and souvenirs, ensuring the poet's enduring contributions to art and literature are celebrated by all generations.