Author: M. S. KALANDAROVA Keywords: Tagore, Soviet Union, exhibition, "Letters about Russia" "On August 7, 1941, a man died in Calcutta. His mortal remains were set on fire, but no flame can consume the legacy he left behind. It is a legacy of words and music, poetry, ideas and ideals; it excites us now and will continue to excite us in the days to come." So wrote the talented Indian film director, Oscar winner (1991) Satyajit Ray winner (1913) Rabindranath Tagore, whose anniversary the world community will celebrate in May 2011. In connection with the anniversary celebrations, the Indian Government has organized a National Committee to hold special events. Already in 2010, on the poet's birthday on May 9, the Reserve Bank of India issued two commemorative coins in denominations of 5 and 15 rupees*, and the British Royal Mail-stamps with the image of R. Tagore. In May 2010, from Khowrah railway station (Kolkata), a festive train set off on a journey around the subcontinent - "exhibition on wheels ""Sanskriti Express", in which each car has its own name and its own exposition, telling about the life and creative path of the poet. Here you can find a photo exhibition, books published at different times by the poet, his paintings, as well as art products of folk craftsmen from the Shantiniketan School of Art, the favorite brainchild of R. R. Tolkien. Tagore. On May 8, 2011, the train will return to Kolkata, where the main festive events will unfold. "We should use this opportunity to inspire interest in his life and works," Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said at the first meeting of the National Committee to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Rabindranath Tagore. Russia has another reason to remember the poet. This year is- * $ 1 equals approximately 45 ind. in rupees (editor's note). page 51 It is the 80th anniversary of his arrival in the Soviet Union. HOW THEY IMMEDIATELY FELL IN LOVE WITH TAGORE! R. Tagore was loved and known in pre-revolutionar ... Read more