Agnibha Bandyopadhyay's rendition of Tagore songs and his lecture found keen audiences among intellectuals and cultural personalities of Dhaka.

Bandyopadhyay is a senior lecturer, Department of Rabindra Sangeet at Rabindra Bharati University (India). Bengal Foundation organised the lecture demonstration to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore. The programme was held at Bengal Gallery, Dhanmondi, Dhaka on May 3.

Bandyopadhyay's students, many of whom are now teachers at Chhayanaut; Hayat Mamud; Maleka Begum and even the seasoned painter Qayyum Chowdhury seemed very keen on the exponent’s lecture on the theoretical aspects of Rabindra Sangeet. The two major aspects of the lecture were: (a) songs composed on the [raga] structures of Behara, Purabi and Bhairavi and (b) Rabindranath's use of taal (tempo) and chhando (rhythm).

Bandyopadhyay began by saying that there can be no end to learning and that he is still a student. Then he rendered "Jagatey Anandajaggey Amar Nimantrari’. His lecture was interspersed with a diverse range of songs including, "Charandhani Shuni Tabo”, “Asha Jawar Majhkhaney", "Krishnakali Ami Tarei Boli", “Joyotaba Bichitra" and “Aaji Kamoi Mukul Dol".

Talking about the diversity in lyrics and composition of Tagore songs, Bandyopadhyay said, “He [Rabindranath) believed that Bengalis

would sing his songs in both grief and joy." Bandyopadhyay went on to explain that Tagore songs incorporated existing traditions of Kirtan, Baul and Shari. “Considering this, one could say that Rabindranath followed the tradition. But then again, considering his use of western tunes and styles and the diversity of it all, we can also say that Rabindranath was radical.”

Bandyopadhyay concluded by saying that "the diversity in the world of Tagore songs” explains why the bard called his music his "ticket to the next life.”

Bandyopadhyay's younger brother Angshubha Bandyopadhyay played tabla during the programme.