By Our Reporter
Shillong: In commemoration of the 152nd Birth Anniversary of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, a spectacular one week long Thoh Shun Art Camp, 2013, was kicked off here at Brookside Mansion on Thursday.
The Art Camp is being organized by the East Khasi Hills District Art & Culture Society, Indian Council for Cultural Relations and Riti Academy of Visual Arts.
While inaugurating the camp, Dr Helen Giri recalled her association with institutions dedicated to Rabindranath Tagore in different parts of the country and cherished her experiences.
It may be mentioned that the 152nd birth anniversary of the Nobel Laureate is being observed at Brookside Mansion, the same place where he had stayed when he first visited Shillong in 1919.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Giri urged the people to follow the values taught by Tagore through his poems.
“This is an event that would enlighten the youth and I encourage them to take the initiative in learning more and pursue this field with interest,” she said.
The day’s programme started off with a floral tribute to Gurudev, followed by a short cultural programme where artists performed a play. A skit was presented by artists of Sylvie Passah.
Rabindra Sangeet and dance presentations were the other highlights of the programme.
Later in the afternoon, there was a spectacular cultural extravaganza ‘Pushpanjali’ presented by Genevieve Khongjee and her Guru Mridula Dhar, dance recital by Monica Chanda of Gitanjali Dance Academy and a drama presentation on Tagore’s famous play Shesher Kabita, which is primarily set in Shillong.
Chairman of Riti Academy of Visual Arts, Raphael Warjri, said, “The Art Camp is being organized to facilitate and motivate the artist from the region to get exposure at the mainstream level.”
Altogether 30 artists from all over North Eastern region are participating in the camp this year that will continue till May 16.
It may be mentioned that the Thoh Shun Art Camp is an annual event hosted by Riti Academy of Visual Arts since 2005.