1,100 Voices, One Soul: Nationwide Musical Tribute Marks Tagore’s 165th Birth Anniversary
The performances were streamed live, syncing the artists across the 11 states in real time
Hyderabad: Marking the 165th birth anniversary of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, the city on Sunday became part of a nationwide musical tribute, as over 1,100 singers across 11 states performed an uninterrupted session of 17 Rabindra Sangeet compositions, in a synchronised choral arrangement.
The concert, ‘Chironutan: Shato Kantthr Sahosro Kanttho’, brought together more than 100 singers from around the city under the banner of Hanshadhwani Musical, to represent Telangana in the second edition of this nationwide initiative, which is conceptualized and directed by Arundhati Deb of Sangeet Bharati Muktadhara, Kolkata. The performances were streamed live, syncing the artists across the 11 states in real time.
“It was undoubtedly a huge challenge. Performing with 100 singers on stage while staying in sync with over 1,100 voices across India needed immense preparation and coordination,” said organiser Biswajit Mukherjee. In Hyderabad, training for the event was led by Manika Basu Thakur, who coordinated rehearsals across four parts of the city to bring together singers from various Bengali associations, alongside non-Bengali participants.
The event was not merely aimed at celebrating Bengali identity but at carrying forward Tagore’s message of unity, fearlessness and togetherness beyond language and region, said one of the organisers. “Rabindra Sangeet is not nostalgia. Its spirit has gone beyond languages and regions,” Mukherjee said, adding that the participation of non-Bengali singers reflected Tagore’s timeless relevance. Following its successful first edition in 2024, organisers said the next edition of Chironutan is likely to be held in 2028.
Written by Deccan Chronicle intern Rocheta Chakraborty.
