Festival and celebrations

IIE DIGITAL DESK :  The 164th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore approaches in 2025, there is some uncertainty regarding the exact date of celebration. Traditionally observed on the 25th day of the Bengali month of Boishakh, known as Pochishe Boishakh, this date does not align consistently with the Gregorian calendar, leading to variations each year.

In 2025, Pochishe Boishakh corresponds to May 7th. Therefore, Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. This date is determined based on the Bengali lunisolar calendar, which calculates months and dates according to the phases of the moon and solar movements.

Rabindranath Tagore, born on Pochishe Boishakh in 1268 of the Bengali calendar (May 7, 1861, in the Gregorian calendar), was a polymath who reshaped Bengali literature and music, as well as Indian art, with contextual modernism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He became the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for his collection of poems, "Gitanjali."

Tagore's contributions to literature, music, and art are celebrated annually on his birth anniversary. In West Bengal and among Bengali communities worldwide, cultural programs, poetry recitations, music performances, and art exhibitions are organized to honor his legacy. Educational institutions, cultural organizations, and government bodies participate in these celebrations, reflecting on Tagore's enduring influence on Indian culture and philosophy.

The confusion regarding the date of Rabindra Jayanti arises due to the differences between the Bengali and Gregorian calendars. While the Bengali calendar is based on lunar and solar movements, the Gregorian calendar is purely solar. As a result, the date of Pochishe Boishakh shifts each year in the Gregorian calendar, sometimes leading to discrepancies in the observed date of Tagore's birth anniversary.

In 2025, after consulting the Bengali calendar and astronomical data, it is confirmed that Pochishe Boishakh falls on May 7th. Therefore, Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti will be celebrated on this date. It is essential for organizers and participants of cultural events to note this date to ensure accurate commemoration of Tagore's birth anniversary.

As preparations for Rabindra Jayanti 2025 commence, communities are encouraged to plan events that reflect the spirit of Tagore's teachings. Themes of humanism, universalism, and the celebration of nature, which are prevalent in Tagore's works, can serve as inspiration for various programs. Engaging youth and incorporating contemporary interpretations of Tagore's art can also help in keeping his legacy alive for future generations.

Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti in 2025 will be observed on May 7th, aligning with Pochishe Boishakh in the Bengali calendar. This date offers an opportunity for individuals and communities to come together in honoring the life and works of one of India's most revered cultural figures. Through music, literature, and art, the celebrations will pay tribute to Tagore's enduring impact on Indian and global culture.