Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

25 February, 2020 is the Janma tithi (জন্মতিথি) of Sri Ramkrishna Paramahansa. Every year, on Shukla Dwitiya of month Falgun, the janma tithi of Sri Ramkrishna is being observed. On this auspicious occasion, various rituals like Puja, Arati, devotional songs are the main functions use to held at Kamarpukur - the birth place of Sri Ramkrishna, organised by Ramkrishna Mission every year. The divotees use to come there on this day to witness the function and pay homage to Thakur Ramkrishna.        

'Heritage Bengal' will pay homage to legendary singer composer Hemanta Mukhopadhyay on the eve of his birth centenary by organising a function on 14th and 15th February, 2020 at Rabindra Sadan, Kolkata. A short film of 35 minutes duration on Hemanta Mukhopadhyay will be screened there. A book named 'Neel Dhrubatara' (the blue northstar) on him will be published there in which complete list of his songs with valuable articles on him by eminent artists are the main attractions of this book. His rare photos also will be there in the book. Shubhajit and Kalyan Sarkar will play some classical based songs on sitar. Hemanta Mukhopadhyay will be remembered ever for his popular songs which will sing Srikanta Acharya and Jayati Chakraborty there at the function. The car used by him shall exhibit there for all. The two-days long programme will be inaugurated by Arati Mukhopadhyay and Soumitra Chattopadhyay. The function will start at 4:30 p.m. daily.

Belur Math: Mangal Arati (মঙ্গল আরতি), Ved Paath (বেদ পাঠ), Hom (হোম) and special puja (4:45am-7am). Songs of Vivekananda, Kathoponishad paath (কঠোপনিষদ পাঠ) and classical songs (7:50am-2:45pm). Participants - Hari Prasad Chourasia, Venkatesh Kumar etc. Seminar on Swami Vivekananda's life and messages at 3pm. Swami Vivekananda's House:  Puja, puspanjali and distribution of prasad (9am-12:30pm). Seminar on Swamiji at 6:30pm. Ramkrishna Math (Jogodyan): Drama- "বিশ্ব পরিব্রাজক স্বামী বিবেকানন্দ" (globe trotter Swami Vivekananda) (6pm). Direction- Soumitra Mitra. Ramkrishna Mission Ashram (Barahnagar): Songs of Vivekananda by Goutam Adhikary (6:30pm).  Ramkrishna Math (Shyam pukur bati): Lila geeti - "ঠাকুরের নরেন" (Naren of Thakur), presented by Binapani Samity (6:15pm). Ramkrishna Math (Bagbazar): Swami Chidrupananda will read Swamiji's life & messages (6:15pm). Vivekananda Society: Achintya Mukhopadhyay will del...

157th birth anniversary of great poet Rabindranath Tagore is being observed today not only in Bengal, but all over the world. The main programme is being held at Jorasanko Thakur Bari where the songs and poems written by Tagore are being performed by eminent artists. The rooms where the poet was born and breathed his lasts - were garlanded by distinguished persons. The other remarkable programme is now being held at Shantiniketan-Bolpur. Prayers are being performed in Upasana Griha (the room for prayers). 'Pranam' 

100 years ago, on this day, Mr Universe Manohar Aich was born in Bangladesh. Now he resides in Kolkata and became the pride of the city. He won the 1952 Mr Universe title and three-time Asian Games gold medal winner in body building. His chest measured 54 inches and waist only 23 inches. He is known also as 'Pocket Hercules' due to his short height. He is a happy person with his sons, daughters, students, admirers, friends and well-wishers. Manohar Aich - the pride of Kolkata is being felicitated today by the city for his marvellous centenary. -- A. B.

Today is the 177 birth anniversary of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa. On this occasion, a huge rally was organised yesterday from Dakshineswar temple to Belur Math, where people from all the corners of society participated alongwith the residents of Math. The rally started at 8am from Dakshineswar temple and crossed the river Ganga by Vivekananda Setu (Bally Bridge). The rally reached Belur Math at 10am where a function was organised to address the rally with praise of Sri Ramakrishna. The rally was a very colourful one. Thousands of pilgrims joined it. Tribal artists of Purulia demonstrated dances with Ran-pa, sehnai etc. Hundreds of women walked with Kalas on head. In front of the rally, there were decorated elephants and horses alongwith tableaus on matador and lorries. The admirers and pilgrims shouted in praise of Sri Ramakrishna, Ma Sarada and Swami Vivekananda all along the road. -- A. B.