A ceremony commemorating the 165th anniversary of the birth of the outstanding Indian poet and philosopher Rabindranath Tagore was held on May 7 at the Magtymguly Pyragy Cultural and Park Complex in Ashgabat.

The event was attended by representatives of the Embassy of India in Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan, public figures, and students of the Dovletmammet Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages studying Hindi, reports “Turkmenistan: Golden Age.”

As is well known, monuments to famous writers and thinkers from around the world line the alley of the Magtymguly Pyragy cultural and park complex. A monument to Rabindranath Tagore is also located here, near which yoga demonstrations were held, and musical and vocal performances were performed. Rabindranath Tagore's poetry was recited by students of the Turkmen university.

Addressing the event, Indian Ambassador to Turkmenistan Bandaru Vilsanbabu highlighted the poet's core philosophy, which is based on goodwill, humanist ideals, and mutual respect.

"It is gratifying that the monument to Rabindranath Tagore has been erected in this beautiful park, named after the great Turkmen poet Magtymguly Pyragy, as a visible embodiment of the civilizational bonds of friendship between India and Turkmenistan. I am confident that the partnership between these two friendly countries, under the visionary leadership of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, will reach new heights in the coming years," the diplomat stated.

Deputy Minister of Culture of Turkmenistan G. Myradalyev noted:

"Rabindranath Tagore is a poet not only of the Indian people, but of all humanity. His works know no boundaries: they awaken in the hearts of people of all nations a profound understanding of friendship, peace, and humanity." The poet and thinker's legacy is widely studied in Turkmenistan's higher education institutions, particularly in areas related to international relations and culture. His rich creative legacy serves as a bridge of friendship between the Turkmen and Indian peoples."

In 1913, Indian writer, poet, composer, artist, and educator Rabindranath Tagore became the first non-European poet to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for his collection of poems, Gitanjali. The prestigious award was given for "deeply felt, fresh, and beautiful verses through which—with consummate mastery—he has made his poetic thought, expressed in English, a part of Western literature."