Speakers at the seminar. — Snigdha Zaman

Nobel laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore’s three women characters were analysed by the foreign affairs secretary Mohammed Mijarul Quayes at a seminar organised by Bangla Academy observe the poet’s 71th death anniversary on Monday.
Director general of the academy Shamsuzzaman Khan delivered welcome speech at the seminar presided over by emeritus professor Anisuzzaman, also the chairman of the Bangla Academy.   
Mohammed Mijarul Quayes’ paper titled ‘Rabindranath-er Natoke Tin Nari’ evaluated Chitrangada of Tagore’s poetic drama Chitrangada, titular character of his play Shayma and protagonist of Prakiti in Chandalika.
Mohammed Mijarul Quayes, who is also an accomplished art critic, in his paper observed that though women right is a new concept, Tagore had focused on women issue a hundred years ago.
Tagore’s approach of depicting women characters in his plays was different from the tradition of the then Bangla literature, observed Mijarul Quayes.
Rather, these characters present human emotions and appear as bold characters, he added.
Giving reference from Tagore classic Chitrangada, Mijarul Quayes evaluated that Chitrangada’s falling in love for Arjun was a consequence of her pride being ignored by the legend.
‘Arjun’s greatness somehow challenges the ego of Chitrangada and creates an attraction for him in her mind. The attraction later on transformed into love. On the other hand, Prakiti’s self-revelation makes her to fall in love with Ananda as he reminds her that she is a human being equal to anyone. However, Shyama’s love to Bajra Sen is a pure romantic affair. Bajra Sen’s handsome look generates Shyama’s passion for him, Mijarul Quayes said.
‘These characters, however, had “tragic flaws” to gain achieve their desire: Chitrangada changes her face, Prakiti takes help of black magic and Shyama makes Uttiyo a scapegoat for the crime committed by Bajra. However, all the characters at last perceive their wrongs and confess their guilt,’ he added.
Shamsuzzaman Khan, in his speech, declared that the academy will publish 32 books on Tagore, including one full-fledged biography, by the end of this year.
Professor Anisuzzaman said that Rabindranath Tagore was always concerned about the rights of women.
The discussion session was followed by a musical show where Sadi Muhammad and Manshi Sadhu presented Tagore numbers.
Sadi presented Megher koley koley jay re choley, Kon puritan praner taaney and Mor bhabonare ki howai in solo presentation while Manshi rendered Tomay gaan shonabo and Ami kaan pete roi.