Though it marked Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s 158th birth anniversary like the several other events in the town on Wednesday, ‘Pochishe Boithak’ was a programme with a difference.

The audience experienced a new theme for the poet’s birth anniversary celebrations, and it was presented by the Tagore Appreciation Society (TAS) at a hotel here. Ardent ‘devotees’ of Tagore from across Siliguri were invited to the artistic event of select songs, poems, stories, and dances.

“For a moment it was tough differentiating the audience from the artistes, as the former jumped out of their seats and joined the dance on the main floor on Tagore’s songs sung by a group of TAS artists,” a member of the audience said.

TAS founders Pranay Gupta and Sohini Gupta played key roles in readying a script, which presented Tagore’s creations all too well. Both Mr and Mrs Gupta narrated Tagore’s thinking and expressions in many situations, including social and political developments across the world.

Others like Jayeeta, Maokana and Abhijit performed recitations, and Rajoshi, Koyel, Madhumita, Paramita, Tania, Debjani, Mitali and Sukla sang several songs. On the other hand, Saheli, Sangeeta, Mishtu and Aditi performed dances and Anirban and Antu assisted them by playing the keyboard and the tabla, respectively.

“Besides research work on Rabindranath Tagore, TAS has been contributing to the society under the banner of Geetimalya,” Mr Gupta said, adding “Members of Geetimalya guide underprivileged students in some institutions in singing Tagore’s songs.” Notably, TAS had nicely presented ‘Monsoon Melodies’ titled ‘Jaay Din Shrabon Din Jaay’ at the same place in Siliguri on 6 August last year.

“Members of TAS presented the Monsoon Melodies in an unconventional ambiance and unique style of narration, in the presence of the main artist Dr Pubali Debnath, a devotee of Tagore, who maintained the classical tradition during presentation of the Tagore songs,” Mr Gupta said.

As Dr Debnath claimed “there is no life without Rabindranath,” a recitation ‘Aamar Hriday Aaj Chanchal Hoyechhe’ presented by a TAS artist was the “rhythm of monsoon,” even as the showers lashed Siliguri, the gateway to the northeast.