Tagore’s Timeless Thought Meets Modern Cosmology
Referring to the dialogue between scientist Albert Einstein and Rabindranath Tagore, Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan said, “Even amid the boundless advancement of science, Rabindranath’s reflections on the vast realm beyond science continue to astonish us. With today’s highly advanced telescopes, we can observe only a portion of the universe, yet he reminded Einstein of the unknown—of the existence of countless universes beyond. Viswakabi Rabindranath Tagore was not merely a practitioner of literature, music, or art; rather, his observations on society, economy, science, and the universe were profoundly deep and far-sighted.”
He made these remarks as the chief guest at a discussion and cultural program held on Friday evening, May 8, at the National Theatre Hall of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, marking the 165th birth anniversary of poet Rabindranath Tagore.
He said that it is possible for a creative individual to maintain deep observation, philosophical insight, and social awareness even amid the turbulent waves of contemporary politics, and that Rabindranath remains the finest example of this.
The Information Minister added, “Rabindranath’s political mindset was extremely cautious. After the Russian Revolution of 1917, when the world was swept by socialist ideology, he, following his visit to Russia, highlighted in Rashiar Chithi the mechanical nature of communism and its conflict with the eternal dynamics of human nature. His thoughts also had a profound influence on leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru during the anti-British movement of that time.”
The event, chaired by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Director General Rezauddin Stalin, featured speeches by State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin Putul and President of Bishwo Shahitto Kendro Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed as special guests.
Professor Dr. A B M Obaidul Islam, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dhaka, delivered the keynote address at the event.
DBTech/IHI/MUM/OR
