Tagore in Mauritius

A Glimpse into 1961

Editorial

As from Friday last, Mauritius has started the Tagore centenary celebrations, which will last for over two months. Celebrations will be held almost all over the world, and little Mauritius decided not to stay out.

Why celebrate the birth anniversary of Tagore in Mauritius? Not because Tagore was “un poète hindou,” as has been subtly suggested in the reactionary section of the local press. Although Rabindranath Tagore was born in a Hindu family, he was first of all a man of the world; although his background was Eastern, he died a citizen of the world. Paris does not honour Tagore for his religion, nor do great European cities celebrate him as a Hindu. They pay tribute because, in a world fractured by hatred and facing self-destruction, Tagore’s message offers a vital ray of hope.

“Tagore is not the property of any country or race: Tagore belongs to the heritage of mankind, just as Shakespeare is not the private property of the English people…”

India and Indians may justly take pride in the great honour which Tagore earned for his country, but Tagore is not the property of any country or race: Tagore belongs to the heritage of mankind, just as Shakespeare is not the private property of the English people. In Mauritius too, Tagore is being celebrated because it is felt that the ideas and ideals of Tagore, if rightly understood and properly practised, will go a long way towards reducing the difficulties existing between various sections of the population.

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Representatives of various communities have come together to pay their homage to the great world figure. People from all walks of life and from all areas are participating in a grand festival to offer their tribute in many languages and in many ways to the universality of a great soul. The Central Committee of the centenary celebrations, in conjunction with a large number of Regional Committees, has planned a wonderful programme.

In the preparation of the whole programme, the organisers have laid special emphasis on creative work. Talking on Tagore has been avoided to the extent possible, and all has been done to present the ideas of Tagore in creative activity, namely in painting, poetry, music, songs, and on the stage. The opportunity has therefore been seized to give an impetus to the diffusion of Indian culture. That is why the cultural programme presented by the Central Committee on Friday last at the Plaza Theatre will go down in the history of Mauritius as a landmark in its cultural evolution.

It does also open a new era in the history of Indian culture in Mauritius. As from Friday last, Mauritius has been a richer country culturally. And we find it difficult to resist the temptation of briefly reviewing that cultural programme, although we are aware that it has already received a chorus of praise from all quarters.

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The programme consisted of three sets of items: (a) songs, (b) musical performances, and (c) dances. It was evident that much effort had been put in to give the choruses the high standard they had, although it is clear that they could be improved. It is difficult for amateurs to reach perfection at one go, and we do commend the singers and their teachers for their good performance.

Mr Ishwardut Nundlall, who contributed the musical items, needless to say, earned unanimous applause. His skill cannot be questioned, and his mastery of Indian music is a fact. So far, his is the last word in Indian music in Mauritius. But the pièce de résistance of the whole programme was the dance items. And we hasten to add that the dance items enthralled the entire audience. Never before has the Mauritian stage offered such marvellous items of Indian classical dance.

It was always believed that Indian classical dance was impossible in Mauritius, but on Friday last, the young performers achieved a momentous cultural breakthrough. Believe it or not, we witnessed a superb performance of Bharatnatyam. The essential thing now is not to allow the enthusiasm to die down. It must be kept up.

We feel that it must be mentioned here that the credit for those wonderful dance items goes to Mrs P. Ghurburrun, Mrs R. Ram Prakash, and also to Prof Ram Prakash himself. Mrs Ghurburrun has shown that she is a perfect artist and therefore a great cultural asset to her country. So has Mrs Ram Prakash done. The star performers, Miss Sarita Prakash and Miss Usha Ramdoyal, are good and very promising performers. They all deserve to be warmly congratulated. They have made history in the field of culture in Mauritius.

It is also widely felt that a special tribute must be paid to Prof Ram Prakash, who has made a sterling contribution to the revival of Indian culture in Mauritius. More than anyone else, in his own unassuming way, Prof Ram Prakash has, with remarkable self-effacement, popularised the works of Tagore in Mauritius. Legion are the ex-students of the Teachers’ Training College who will never forget that they came to know of Tagore’s works in the classes of Indian culture admirably conducted by Prof Ram Prakash. Much of the present widespread enthusiasm about Tagore and his works derives its inspiration from Prof Ram Prakash himself. And the success of Friday last is but the just reward for his patient efforts.

When all is said and done, one cannot escape the conclusion that Indian culture has now been put on a different level. The more difficult task is to ensure its steady progress.

8th Year – No 349
Friday 12th May, 1961

Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 23 October 2026