Veteran educationist Professor Khan Sarwar Murshid inaugurated the three-day conference.

Over 300 artistes and representatives of 46 units of JRSSP from all over the country are taking part in the conference. It is the largest annual assemblage of Tagore exponents and singers in the country.

The inauguration was followed by the final round of the Rabindra sangeet competition for the adolescents. Forty-five competitors selected for the final round performed at the show. Eminent artistes and Tagore exponents Professor A B M Nurul Anwar, Mihir Nandi, Selina Malek Chowdhury, Lili Islam, Moinuddin Nazir, Mita Haque and Laisa Ahmed Lisa were the judges of the contest. Winners will be announced today.

A seminar on the topic Bangladeshi Culture: looking back after 35 years, was held. Shantanu Kaiser presented the keynote paper; and Dr. Atiur Rahman, Rezwana Chowdhury Banya and Golam Rabbani shared their thoughts on the issue. In his paper, Shantanu gave a mapping of developments in different cultural fields and stressed the need for deconstructing the Bangladeshi culture.

The last session of the day included a musical soiree, recitation of poems and dance performances. Aly Zaker delivered a speech titled Rabirashmi. He expressed hope of continuing a struggle to uphold humanity and build a society based on the principles of equality by implementing Tagore's thoughts.

Asaduzzam Noor and Khaled Khan recited poems by Tagore.

Sukla Sarkar, Proma Abonti and Warda Rihab performed Bharatnatyam, Odissi and Manipuri dance respectively.

The musical part of the programme started with choral renditions by Narayanganj unit of JRSSP. Over 35 artistes performed Tagore songs. Nilufar Jahan and Luva Nahid Chowdhury rendered songs of Atul Prasad. Promila Chakraborty and Shuma Rani Roy presented songs of D L Roy while Sabrina Akhter and Neelotpal Sadhyo rendered songs of Rajanikanta.