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[The Jadavpur Associtation of International Relations (JAIR)]The Visvakabi & Internationalism:
Rabindranath Tagore in the Contemporary World
Conference Dates:
27th and 28th July, 2012
Venue:
Jadavpur University,Kolkata
In collaboration with
The Ministry of Culture,
Government of India, New Delhi
Concept Note
The Visvakabi and Internationalism
Rabindranath Tagore in the Contemporary World
W.B. Yeats in his introduction on Geetanjali wrote to William Rothenstein “…the prose translations from Rabindranath Tagore have stirred my blood as nothing has for years…I read Rabindranth every day, to read one line of his is to forget all the troubles of the world…all the inspiration of mankind are in his hymns. ” (Yeats, W.B., 1912). Almost a century has passed and Rabindranath Tagore’s songs, poetry and prose continue to evoke the same degree of veneration from millions across the globe. The genius of Tagore, as scholars agree, was his ability to look beyond the ebb and tide of the late 19th and early 20th and articulate the importance of universal values of harmony, peace, spirituality, education and mutual respect that continue to be relevant across cultures and in altered socio-political settings. Writing in one of the most turbulent time characterized by- perceived dichotomy between the East and the West, industrial revolution and colonial exploitation, the giant leaps in science and technology, mass destruction during the world wars, resurgent nationalism in colonies like India, fundamentalism, Tagore stressed upon the importance of East West exchange and mutual learning, self reliance and internationalism, which many regard contained the seeds of cosmopolitanism. In the contemporary context of an emerging global society, greater emphasis on universal regimes, challenges of fundamentalism, terrorism, poverty and global recession, it is pertinent both at an individual as well as at societal levels to revisit Tagore’s works and re-emphasize the salience of those universal values. It is also important to utilise the new opportunities provided by the advancement in information technology to spread Gurudev’s message across cultures and across socio-political strata.
It is of little surprise therefore that the Government of India together with the United Nations Education Cultural and Scientific Organization (UNESCO) is organizing year- long activities to commemorate the indelible impact of Tagore’s works and to celebrate his 150th Birth Anniversary on 7th May 2011. The Jadavpur Association of International Relations (JAIR) proposes to host an international seminar entitled “The Visvakabi and Internationalism” to explore the contours of Tagore’s socio-political thoughts and their relevance in the 21st century. The seminar will be the Association’s humble homage to India’s most revered global cultural icon. The purpose of the seminar is to invite people across cultures, professions, nations and age-group to reflect on the values advocated by Tagore, relate it to the contemporary world and find avenues to spread his message among the global audience through a bottom- up participatory process. It is proposed that the seminar would culminate in a publication that would be widely circulated through various media to contribute towards UNESCO and Government of India’s goal of bringing Tagore’s works closer to today’s generation.
I. Themes
The international seminar proposes to invite papers and commentaries from international academics, young researchers and professionals from different fields including media personnel to analyse Tagore’s thoughts and works and discuss its relevance in the contemporary society. It also will have a dedicated session on how to spread the Poet’s message of universal harmony. Further, it will encourage young scholars and artists to present their interpretation and understanding of Tagore’s works and how they relate to it in their personal lives. Specifically, the seminar will focus on the following broad themes:
ü Tagore on Reconciliation between East and West: This session would contain papers/commentaries which analyse Rabindranath Tagore’s emphasis on the nature and substance of East West reconciliation- its historical significance and/ or contemporary relevance.
ü Tagore and World Humanism & Cosmopolitanism: This session would focus on a systematic presentation and analysis of The Poet’s vision about world humanism and cosmopolitanism- the two key aspirations of the contemporary global civil society.
ü Visva Bharati: Tagore’s concept of universal education: This session would engage participants to analyse the tenets and product of Rabindranath Tagore’s idea of universalized education and its salience in the contemporary world.
ü Tagore and the contemporary youth: This session would encourage young scholars (including students) and professionals to present their interpretation of Tagore’s works and how it facilitates or challenges their understanding of the contemporary world.
ü Rabindranath Tagore and the new media: This session will invite papers/ commentaries on how the global civil society can have greater and equitable access to Tagore’s work through the new media.
ü Chitra e Rabindranath (Poster Presentation): This parallel session with invite participants from different walks of life to put up poster representations of Rabindranath Tagore’s life, works and thoughts. Participants will be encouraged to represent the contemporary relevance of his works in a creative and innovative way.