The workshop on in full swing. Picture by Biplab Basak

Jalpaiguri, Feb. 12: The month-long Rabindrasangeet workshop in Lataguri here has become a source of entertainment for residents of this small hamlet on the fringes of Gorumara National Park.

Besides the allure of the great poet?s songs, people thronging Silver Ridge resort, the venue for the workshop, have been intrigued by the singers at the meet. With the exception of the organiser, Rajeshwar Bhattacharya, all the others are Europeans, hailing from countries like England, Scotland and Ireland. Bhattacharya is a former student of Geeta-Beetan and a founder member of Rabimallar.

Titled Soul of Bengal, the month-long workshop is being organised by Bhattacharya on behalf of Swaramalika, an UK-based organisation working to popularise Tagore?s songs.

?Hundreds of people in our country are interested in learning the compositions of Tagore. We joined the workshop to sharpen our skills and the ability to sing Rabindrasangeet better,? said Suzi Elizabeth Stuvves, a teacher from England, whose first collection of Tagore?s songs is to be released soon.

?I teach Rabindrasangeet in different European countries and have around 200 students. In his lifetime, Rabindranath had conducted such workshops for foreigners in Visva Bharati and I am simply trying to carry on with his tradition,? Bhattacharya said.

To ease the burden on students who are not familiar with Bengali, Bhattacharya has written out the scripts in English.