Pradeep Kumar Rawat (right), Indian Ambassador to China and Jashim Uddin, Bangladesh Ambassador to China, exchange gifts at the event. Photo: Courtesy of the Embassy of India in Beijing

Both Gurudev Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam became legends through their writings, and the Rabindra-Nazrul Jayanti was observed at the Embassy of India Amphitheater, in Beijing on May 24 to commemorate their contributions to Bengali Culture. 

Large crowds gathered together to listen to readings of their works, performances of their music, and to watch dances and short plays based on their creations.

Jashim Uddin, Bangladesh Ambassador to China and scholars who conduct research on Tagore and Nazrul were among the invited guests. 

The two embassies jointly observed the 163rd anniversary of Tagore's birth and the 125th anniversary of Nazrul's birth, with performances to pay tribute to them titled "Into the Paradise of Freedom."

The performances were joint productions by the embassies of the two countries. They combined Rabindra Sangeet's classicism and drama. On the Amphitheater stage, the performed pieces highlighted the charm of Tagore and Nazrul excellently. 

In his keynote speech, Pradeep Kumar Rawat, Indian Ambassador to China, talked about the significance of reading Tagore and Nazrul and their enduring relevance in people's lives. 

Ambassador Uddin talked about the works of the two poets and the holistic nature of Bangladeshi culture. The two ambassadors exchanged gifts during the event.

Along with guests, the ambassadors enjoyed the program with Chinese experts on Tagore. Tagore scholar and Chinese professor Dong Youchen, who has translated and published several of Tagore's poems, was also one of the distinguished guests. 

Before the program, Dong had a brief session with Ambassador Uddin and Ambassador Rawat. Dong gave the two ambassadors the three-book series titled Tagore's Trip to China, which consists of "Please Borrow the Light from the Dawn: Tagore's China Trip," "Selected Poems and Paintings of Tagore," and "Twirling a Lamp in the Evening - Tagore's Family Letters."

At the end of the activity, Tagore's famous poem "Where The Mind Is Without Fear" was recited in 14 languages.