The biggest festival of Rabindra Sangeet, the regular programme is organised in Dhaka and another city of the country every alternate year. Over 300 artistes are taking part in different performances in this year's event.

Veteran cultural personality Sardar Fazlul Karim inaugurated the programme by lighting a traditional pradeep (clay lamp), a symbol of blessings and goodness. Followed by the group song Shantrasher bihobalata by the members of the RSSP metropolitan committee, the organisation's founder member and chairman of the programme Wahidul Haque spoke on the present socio-cultural scenario of the country.

The second session of the programme was the final round of the National Rabindra Sangeet Competition 1411 for the youth. About 200 children from all over the country took part in the primary round held last Friday. Forty competitors, selected for the final round, performed in yesterday's show. Eminent artistes and Tagore exponents will finally name the winners based on the style of singing, presentation, selection of song and appearance of the competitors.

According to renowned choreographer Sharmila Bandyopadhyay, "The main objective of the competition is to find Rabindra Sangeet singers from all over the country, who meet the criteria of an artiste."

Formed in 1980 by progressive cultural personalities Wahidul Haque, Abul Momen, Sanjida Khatun and others, RSSP organised different Rabindra Sangeet institutions across the country in the following year. The competition has been organised since 1981. According to Sharmila, "This organisation belongs to all the artistes, the people who love Rabindranath Tagore and those who are dedicated to establishing the proper practice and promotion of Tagore songs. This competition paved the way for many a talented singer's career."

A seminar on the topic "The freedom of human being, the freedom of the country", was also held as part of the three-day festival. Abul Momen presented the keynote paper, and Sultana Kamal, Jatin Sarkar, Dr. Sarwar Ali, Ataur Rahman and Shantanu Kaiser discussed the subject. In the evening session, titled Rabirashmi, Tagore exponent and Rabindra Sangeet artiste Sanjida Khatun and theatre activist Nasiruddin Yusuff discussed Tagore's life and work. The programme ended with a musical soiree, recitation and dance performances.

The final round of the general section of National Rabindra Sangeet Competition 1411 will be held at 9:30am today followed by the cultural programme at the same venue.