IIAS-Shimla hosts memorial lecture on Rabindranath Tagore
The Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Shimla, hosted the prestigious 9th Rabindranath Tagore Memorial Lecture (RTML), a distinguished academic event focusing on India and Europe’s evolving cultural relationship. This year’s lecture was delivered by Dr Oscar Pujol Riembau, the Director of Instituto Cervantes, New Delhi, under the theme “India and Europe: Facing Mirrors, Merging Reflections.”
Dr Pujol, with his lecture, explored the historical interactions and ongoing dialogues between India and Europe. He emphasised the initial “forced encounter” during colonialism, which has since evolved into a complex relationship filled with mutual learning. He also highlighted the potential for collaboration between India and Europe, suggesting that the future holds promise for fruitful dialogue that transcends colonial legacies.
Dr Pujol emphasised the converging mirrors of colonial history and the continued interactions through the contemporary web of international relations. He elaborated on the philosophical reflections involving thinkers like Tagore, advocating for the transcendence of the colonial past towards a future based on mutual respect and shared philosophical dialogues.
Drawing upon both history and philosophy, Dr Pujol reflected on the contrasts and convergences between the two civilisations. His narrative stressed how India’s ancient tradition of non-dualism offers a path for reconciliation and a way beyond dualistic confrontations.
The lecture concluded with Dr Pujol discussing the philosophy of non-dualism to illustrate how both societies can benefit from viewing the world beyond dichotomies like tradition versus modernity or North versus South.
To pay a tribute to Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore on his 150th birth anniversary, the Ministry of Education, Government of India, has set up a ‘Tagore Centre for the Study of Culture and Civilisation’ (TCSCC) at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Shimla. The centre was inaugurated by former President Pranab Mukherjee in 2013, at Shimla.
