The 164th birth anniversary of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore was marked in Canberra with an evening that combined scholarship, cultural expression, and quiet reverence. Hosted by the High Commission of India in partnership with the Bengali Cultural Association of Canberra, the event was held at the Theo Notaras Multicultural Centre and drew members of the Indian diaspora, local scholars, and Tagore admirers from across the city.
The gathering featured remarks by High Commissioner Gopal Baglay and eminent Australian scholar Dr John Hood, whose decades-long engagement with Bengali literature has made Tagore’s writing more accessible to English-speaking readers. Dr Hood, who has translated several of Tagore’s major works, spoke about the poet’s intellectual depth and moral clarity—qualities that remain relevant across generations and geographies.
Tagore’s legacy was brought to life by members of the Indian-origin Bangla community in Canberra, who performed a series of songs and recitations in Bangla. The performances ranged from devotional verses to lyrical compositions drawn from Gitanjali and Rabindra Sangeet, offering the audience a glimpse into the emotional and philosophical breadth of Tagore’s work.
The evening began with floral tributes at the bust of Rabindranath Tagore, located in the Multicultural Centre foyer, where guests paused to pay their respects. The symbolism was not lost on those present: a Bengali poet-philosopher honoured in Australia’s capital, amid a multicultural setting, by voices spanning continents and generations.
Born on 7 May 1861 in Kolkata, Tagore remains a towering figure in modern Indian thought and art. A poet, composer, playwright, essayist, and painter, his contributions are woven into the cultural memory of South Asia. He was the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, in 1913, and his influence has shaped national identities through works like Jana Gana Mana and Amar Shonar Bangla, national anthems of India and Bangladesh, respectively.
For Dr Hood, who began studying Tagore over six decades ago, the event was a reminder of literature’s power to bridge cultures. “Tagore was never a figure of the past,” he said during his address. “He anticipated much of what we now wrestle with—questions of identity, belonging, modernity, and the ethics of education and freedom.”
High Commissioner Baglay praised the efforts of the local Bengali community in keeping Tagore’s spirit alive in Australia. He also acknowledged the ongoing contribution of Australian scholars like Dr Hood in deepening appreciation for Indian literature beyond South Asia.
The evening closed with a short musical finale—voices rising together in harmony, echoing the lines of Tagore’s verse that speak of unity in diversity, compassion amid confusion, and light in moments of darkness.
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🎶 Canberra celebrated Rabindranath Tagore’s 164th birth anniversary with cultural performances & tributes. 🎭 @HCICanberra Gopal Baglay & scholar Dr John Hood honoured his legacy. 🎵 Bengali community presented Tagore’s poetry & songs. #TheIndianSun
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