On February 6, 2019 in the educational and hotel complex "Pushkinsky"at the University of Management and Economics Technologies (St. Petersburg, RF) the grand opening of the " Rabindranath Tagore – Messenger of Indian Culture" exhibition was held. The exhibition was prepared by the St. Petersburg branch of the International Centre of the Roerichs on the materials presented in cooperation with the Consulate General of the Republic of India.
The exhibition is based on photographs and reproductions of paintings by R. Tagore from the funds and private collections of India, revealing the multifaceted and creatively rich life of the great humanist of the XX century.
The event started with the Hymns of Russia and India. Consul General of the Republic of India in St. Petersburg Mr. Deepak Miglani visited the event.
External relations Vice-rector of the University opened the event and stressed the future useful cooperation between the University and Indian Educational Institutions.
Mr. Deepak Miglani heartily greeted the public and thanked Eduard Tomsha, the chairman of the St.Petersburg Branch of the ICR and the administration of the University for the organization of the event. Mr.Deepak Miglani also told the students about life and creative work of the world famous Indian poet, the Nobel Prize laureate, a writer and composer, an artist and international public figure – R.Tagore. The Consul General wished the students success: “Let your families and your state be proud of you. I hope that our cooperation will continue”. Mr. Deepak Miglani answered the students’ questions about tourism in India, cultural cooperation of the countries, the Indian youth interests, and others. Mr. Deepak Miglani stressed that the friendly relations between the countries are time-tested, and the most important indicator of their strength and warmth is the level of trust between ordinary people, so meetings like those held at the University are very important.
Tatyana Alexandrova, the ICR St.Petersburg Branch lector told the public about the exhibition, dedicated to Tagore’s life and creative work and she stressed that R.Tagore opened to the West the Indian Culture in the XX century. The lector also told the students about friendship of two great people: N. Roerich and R. Tagore, who met in London in 1920 for the first time.
Nicholas Roerich wrote about Rabindranath Tagore: "When one think about the unbreakable energy, the blessed enthusiasm, and the pure Culture, I always imagine Rabindranath Tagore, the closest to me. The potential of this spirit must be great to tirelessly carry out the foundations of true Culture. Tagore's songs are an inspired call to Culture, his prayer for a great Culture, his blessing to those who seek the path of ascent."
The public was able to touch the wonderful world of Tagore’s poetry: the teachers and students of the University acted poetic lines and songs on his poems, translated into Russian. One of the poems in Hindi was read by a student from India, Chauhan Parul, who is studying at the University.
At the end of the event Mr. Deepak Miglani discussed with the administration of the University the perspectives of future cooperation in science, culture and education; saw the “Pushkinsky” Complex and left a note in the book of honored guests of the University.
The St.Petersburg Branch of the ICR and the University of management and economics technologies have had good cooperation in the exhibition work: in 2016 the Roerich Pact exhibition and in 2017 the “Roerich’s Empire” exhibiton were held in the University Complex
