Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, MAY 31 (NPN): The Rabindra Utsav 2026 commenced on Sunday at the Durga Mandir auditorium, Dimapur, organised by the Sargam Cultural Association in collaboration with the North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC).
A total of 110 participants have registered for the Rabindra Sangeet, Rabindra Nrityam and Art competitions, scheduled to be held on May 31 and June 14. The music and dance competitions have been categorised into three age groups—Group A (6–10 years), Group B (11–16 years), and Group C (17 years and above).
Addressing the gathering, Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) president, G.K. Rengma highlighted the life and legacy of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, noting that despite criticism and challenges, Tagore persevered with confidence and dedication. He recalled how Tagore’s writings, initially criticised, later won global acclaim when Gitanjali earned him the Nobel Prize in Literature.
Rengma urged students to emulate Tagore’s love for knowledge, creativity, discipline, courage and commitment to society, stressing that education and wisdom remain the most powerful tools for positive change. He also emphasised Tagore’s contribution to education through the founding of Visva-Bharati University, envisioned as a natural and free learning environment.
Calling on attendees to embrace Tagore’s ideals of peace, harmony and humanity beyond music, art, dance, drama and poetry, Rengma lauded the accommodating nature of Nagas and encouraged the Bengali community in Nagaland to spread the poet’s message widely.
Short speeches were also delivered by L.K. Peter Anal, Mahavir Jain and K.K. Paul during the programme.