High Commission of India
Colombo
PRESS RELEASE

164th Birth Anniversary of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore celebrated with Tribute of Thought and Art

The Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC), the cultural arm of the High Commission of India, Colombo, commemorated the 164th birth anniversary of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, the Nobel laureate, poet, philosopher, and visionary, with a vibrant evening of intellectual and artistic homage on May 8, 2025.

2.     The celebration commenced with a lecture by renowned academic and cultural commentator Prof. Praneeth Abhayasundara of the University of Sri Jayawerdenapura, who reflected on Tagore’s enduring relevance, his humanist ideals, and the universality of his creative vision. Drawing connections between Tagore’s philosophy and the region’s shared cultural heritage, the lecture offered deep insight into the poet’s legacy beyond borders.

3.     The evening continued with an array of soulful music and expressive dance performances, featuring Tagore’s compositions rendered by local and Indian artists. The audience was treated to Rabindra Sangeet by Shastrapathi Asith Attapattu, Shastrapathi Palinda Udawelaarachchi, Mrs. Jayanti Rayshowcasing and the students of the Centre, the fusion of lyrical beauty and spiritual depth that marks Tagore’s artistic oeuvre. A Hungarian artist Virág Réka Túri mesmerised the audience with a captivating Odissi dance performance on the occasion.

4.     The event drew participation from scholars, students, artists, and members of the Indian and Sri Lankan communities, all gathered to pay tribute to a literary icon whose work continues to inspire across generations. Commemoration of Gurudev Tagore by the Centre with Tagore Society of Sri Lanka reaffirmed intercultural dialogue through shared artistic and intellectual pursuits.

 
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Colombo

09 May 2025