Protiva Tagore Ensemble performers come together to showcase the brilliance, sensitivity and literary splendour of Tagore’s works in songs, recitations, narrations, instrumental music and other creative expressions. Madhu, based in Brisbane, Australia is the founder of this initiative, launching this informal group in her mother’s name Protiva, who was instrumental in inculcating Tagore’s music in
her from a very young age. Madhu initiated the first online event on 'Pochisheh Baisakh' during the global pandemic in 2020 in the hope of bringing Tagore to everyone’s home. A doctor by profession, Madhu passed Diploma in Rabindrasangeet with 1st Class 1st from Surangama Rabindrasangeet Shikshayatan in Kolkata, India and believes Rabindrasangeet singing along with practising medicine balance the right and left brains perfectly. Madhu enjoys cultivating local talent or protiva, and presenting shows with experienced and amateur artists, who share her passion for Tagore. COVID-19 inspired a global network of family, friends, colleagues and community members to come together online, a trend that is probably here to stay for quite a while, even after the pandemic. Protiva has held a number of successful Zoom-based programs since its inception, including: 'Hridoy Amar Prakash Holo' in May 2020 (Pochisheh Baisakh); 'Aaj Sraboner Purnima' in August 2020 (Baisheh Srabon) and 'Shono Shono Pita: Prarthona O Rabindranath' in December 2020. Protiva is now planning their next program 'Bhalobasha Kare Koy: Prem O Rabindranath' on 6 March 2021.
