Shanghai, June 1, 2025 — The Consulate General of India (CGI) in Shanghai commemorated the 164th birth anniversary of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore with a vibrant cultural celebration at the Vivekananda Cultural Centre. The event drew over 100 attendees, including members of the Indian diaspora, Chinese students, scholars, and admirers of Tagore’s literary and artistic legacy.

Consul General Pratik Mathur opened the event by paying solemn tribute to the victims of the recent terror attacks in Pahalgam, reaffirming India’s unwavering commitment to a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism.

In his address, CG Mathur emphasized the enduring global relevance of Tagore’s rich cultural heritage, highlighting the poet-philosopher’s deep-rooted influence in China. He noted that Tagore’s short stories are still part of school curricula, while his novels and Rabindra Sangeet are studied at universities across China. This, he said, positions Tagore as a timeless cultural bridge fostering mutual understanding and strengthening India-China cultural ties.

CG Mathur also reflected on Tagore’s fondness for Shanghai, a city he visited twice after becoming the first Asian recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature. Tagore’s legacy remains enshrined in Shanghai through two statues, one at the iconic Lu Xun Park and another at Maoming Lu, a bustling urban center, underscoring his unique place in the city’s cultural landscape.

The event featured a special address by renowned Tagore scholar Tina Kanagratnam, who spoke on Tagore’s philosophical and literary influence across East Asia.

Cultural performances curated by the Indian community group Shanghai Adda added color and depth to the evening. Highlights included renditions of Rabindra Sangeet, traditional dance presentations, and classical instrumental performances on sitar and tabla by young Indian artists.

The celebration concluded with a specially choreographed yoga presentation titled “Yoga for the Young Minds,” set to the tunes of Rabindra Sangeet, symbolizing a fusion of physical, spiritual, and cultural harmony.

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