NEW DELHI: The Consulate General of India in Shanghai commemorated the 164th birth anniversary of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore on 1st June at the Vivekananda Cultural Centre.
The event saw the presence of over a hundred attendees, including members of the Indian diaspora, Chinese students, friends of India, and admirers of Tagore’s literature and art.
The programme began with a tribute to the victims of the recent terror attacks in Pahalgam, India. Consul General Pratik Mathur led the gathering in observing a moment of homage and reaffirmed India’s commitment to combating terrorism with a zero-tolerance policy.
The celebration highlighted Gurudev Tagore’s cultural legacy and his continued influence in China.
His short stories remain part of the Chinese school curriculum, and his novels and Rabindra Sangeet are studied in colleges and universities. Tagore’s strong association with Shanghai was also recalled, including his two visits to the city after receiving the Nobel Prize and the presence of his statues at Lu Xun Park and Maoming Lu.
The event included a talk on Tagore’s legacy in East Asia by noted scholar Tina Kanagratnam. Cultural performances followed, featuring a Rabindra Sangeet programme and dance presentations by the Indian community in Shanghai under the banner of Shanghai Adda.
Young performers also presented classical music recitals on Sitar and Tabla, celebrating Tagore’s contribution to Indian music.
The event concluded with a yoga presentation titled ‘Yoga for the Young Minds’, choreographed to Rabindra Sangeet, and was followed by refreshments featuring Bengali cuisine.
The celebration witnessed enthusiastic participation from scholars, cultural enthusiasts, children, and members of both Indian and Chinese communities, reinforcing the continuing cultural ties between India and China through the legacy of Rabindranath Tagore.
