Rabindranath Tagore’s birth anniversary celebrated in Moscow

On Tuesday, May 7, the Embassy of India, Moscow, commemorated the 152nd birth anniversary of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore at a function held at the Tagore Statue at Friendship Park, Moscow. Ajai Malhotra, Ambassador of India to the Russian Federation, was the Chief Guest at the celebration.

Speaking after offering a floral tribute, Ambassador Malhotra described Gurudev as a vigorous intellectual force who naturally imbibed the ancient traditions of India and was inspired by the rich heritage of India’s people and civilisation. He expressed admiration for Tagore as a towering literary figure, political and social reformer, accomplished composer and visionary educationist. He characterised the great diversity, volume and sheer range of creative works of Tagore as “truly astounding.”

Source: Embassy of India in Moscow

The Indian ambassador highlighted Tagore’s contribution to education through his school at Shantiniketan and Visva-Bharati Univesrity. Visva-Bharati is a meeting-ground of cultures and a learning centre where students could work together in a common pursuit of truth, Malhotra said, adding that Tagore's ground-breaking educational philosophy may yet emerge as one of his most significant contributions.

Tagore loved Russia till his dying day

Gurudev also had a fascination for Russia, which he visited in 1930. Ambassador Malhotra shared a line from “Letters from Russia,” wherein Tagore stated “If I had not come to Russia, life’s pilgrimage would have remained incomplete.” The Indian ambassador described the installation of Tagore’s statue in Moscow in 1990 as a reflection of the tremendous affection and goodwill of the Russian people for Gurudev. He thanked the admirers of Tagore who had gathered to honour Tagore.

Source: Embassy of India in Moscow

Other speakers on the occasion were Irina Prokofieva, eminent Indologist & Bengali language expert of the Moscow State Institute for International Relations (MGIMO), Galina Kiriyenko, Director, Tagore Museum, School No.1279, Moscow, and Ludmila Sekachova, Head, “Parade of Cultural Heritage.” They warmly praised Tagore’s multi-faceted contributions to society and voiced admiration for Gurudev and his visionary ideas.

Thereafter, Rathindranath Chatterjee, Ex-President, Hindustani Samaj, and Krishna Roy, Member, Hindustani Samaj, recited some of Tagore’s poems. The choir of the Sri Chinmoy Centre, Moscow, sang several Tagore songs, which were enthusiastically applauded by the assembled gathering.

All rights reserved by Rossiyskaya Gazeta.