About us

Established in 1985 by Dr Kalyan Kundu, Late Sakti Bhattacharya and joined soon by the Late Dr Kalyan Sarkar as our Chairperson with Baroness Sreela Flathers as its patron, the Tagore Centre UK (TCUK) was established with the unique mission of promoting cross-cultural understanding, awareness, and scholarly engagement.  

 

Over the years, TCUK has earned a reputation for nurturing and hosting significant academic events, publishing critical research, and curating resources that illuminate the historic and cultural ties between South Asia and Europe.  This cultural-academic institution, based in London, is dedicated to promoting and disseminating the prodigious creativity and philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore – a multifaceted literary genius, one of the most influential thinkers of the 20th century, and the first non-European recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature. 

 

The Tagore Centre UK was first registered as a charity on 8 September 1988 (for historical reference our registered number was 800060). In recent years the Constitution was updated, and we became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation on 30 April 2024 (Registration# 1208069). We have a Membership that elects a Board of Trustees. A copy of the Constitution is available on request. Our Annual Reports and Accounts are available for public view on the Charity Commission’s website (search for our name or registration number).  The centre was formally housed at Alexandra Park Library from 1985 to 2020 and was a cultural hub for all communities. It also had a branch in Glasgow at the Mitchell Library.  

Owing to the refurbishment of Alexandra Park Library in 2022 the premise of The Tagore Centre UK for 35 years had to close permanently. However, in 2022, the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies has given the centre a valuable space which is yet to begin its operation.  The executive team has taken a constructive mission to re-generate the Centre’s vibrant activities within London to ensure the existing members, the next generation and the young adults are given the opportunity to embrace the heritage and rich culture we are keen to promote.  

  

At this beginning of a new dawn the Centre is liaising with various organisations and institutions to partner and support this journey.   We have re-established the relationship with the London School of African and Oriental Studies (SOAS), a constituent college of the University of London, commemorating William Radice’s significant involvement with the Centre’s activities.   TCUK has also established a good working relationship with the Holborn Library, under Camden Council, which will be hosting some of TCUK’s publications within their archives.  

 

Other organisations and Tagore related institutions are also joining the mission to make this a success.  

 

Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941)

​​​

Rabindranath Tagore was a poet, philosopher, novelist, singer, lyricist, painter, playwright, educationalist, and environmentalist. He was the composer of the national anthems of both India and Bangladesh. His vast body of literature upholds universal humanistic values and is deeply sympathetic to the dignity of women and the socio-economically deprived common person. 

​

As most of his works were written in Bengali, this has traditionally posed a barrier for those unfamiliar with the language. Yet readers across the world have been so profoundly moved by the sublime tone and depth of his writings that many have chosen to learn Bengali in order to access his literary works and the unique musical genre he created—Rabindrasangeet—in their original form.  To broaden access, TCUK has long offered English translations of Tagore’s works. All publications produced by TCUK have also been published in English, ensuring his ideas and creative legacy reach a wider international audience. 

​

Origins and Early Years 

TCUK’s journey began in 1985, when scholars and enthusiasts of South Asian literature and culture came together to share research and ideas. From the outset, the Centre welcomed a wide range of visitors, both nationally and international literary figures, legendary artists, and renowned dignitaries - including Late Sri. Sayeed Jaffery, Sm Ketoki Kushari Dyson, Sri Amartya Sen, Late Sm. Suchitra Mitra, Late Sm, Kanika Bandhyopadhyay, Sm. Pramita Mallick, Sm. Sharmila Roy Pomo, Sm. Rejwana Bannya Chaudhuri, Late Sm. Monjusree Chaki Sarkar, Late Sri Soumitra Chatterjee, Sm. Tanusree Shankar, Late Sri Sunil Ganguly, Sm. Uma Das Gupta, Sm. Nobonita DebSen, Late Sri Subhash Chaudhuri, and many others. 

 

High Commissioners of India and Bangladesh regularly graced performances alongside other distinguished guests. Professor William Radice, an Honorary Lifetime Member, played a particularly significant role in supporting academic conventions and seminars.  A major milestone was reached in October 2000, when the University of London hosted an international two-day conference bringing together leading Tagore scholars from around the world. This event showcased the diversity and depth of research fostered by TCUK. The proceedings, published in 2006 with a foreword by Professor William Radice, further reinforced the Centre’s commitment to rigorous academic exchange. 

Shape 

​

Library and Archival Collections 

The library formed the cornerstone of TCUK’s mission, housing an extensive collection of books, manuscripts, and archival treasures. Over time, it grew into one of the largest repositories of works on Rabindranath Tagore outside India, including rare volumes in both Bengali and English. Alongside Tagore’s works, the library also held writings by other renowned Bengali authors, as well as TCUK’s own publications. 

​

Operating from Alexandra Park Library, owned by Haringey Council, the Centre hosted a wide range of cultural events, workshops, and seminars. The breadth of TCUK’s scholarly output was reflected in the continual expansion of its resources. Numerous additional treasures were held in the collection, with books and rare materials carefully curated and catalogued to serve both contemporary scholars and future generations.  Academics regularly used the library for research, while members enjoyed a continuous source of reading materials. Numerous PhD and postdoctoral theses were supported through collaborations with UK universities, underlining the library’s role as a vital academic hub. 

Shape 

​

Cultural Promotion and Community Engagement 

Beyond scholarship, TCUK has been a vibrant promoter of South Asian culture in the UK. Its concerts, recitals, lectures, and literary evenings have brought together leading artists, poets, and intellectuals, offering audiences direct engagement with Bengal’s living cultural traditions. 

TCUK played a central role in marking Rabindranath Tagore’s 150th birth anniversary, with the support of the University of London.  
 

Key highlights included: 

• The Youth Programme, where second-generation participants learned and performed Tagore’s plays 

• International seminars and symposiums held in 2002 and 2011 

• The inauguration of Tagore’s bust at Gordon Square, London, in 2011 by His Royal Highness Prince Charles 

• A subsequent photographic exhibition, Wayfaring Poet, and the publication of the major work A Timeless Mind 

• A culminating large-scale cultural event at The Scoop, supported by the London Mayor, featuring over a hundred participants, including Baul and Fakir folk artists from Shantiniketan.
   

Over the years, these activities have strengthened community ties, encouraged the sharing of cultural heritage among diaspora groups, and positioned TCUK as an important platform for intercultural dialogue. The Centre has worked in collaboration with academic institutions, London councils, and international Tagore enthusiasts and scholars. 

 

Membership has always been open to people from all walks of life, including third-generation British Indians, ensuring inclusivity and broad participation. A dedicated youth group was established to engage younger audiences through workshops and staged performances with professional artists, celebrating Tagore’s music and philosophy. 

​

The year 2025 marked the 40th anniversary of the Centre, celebrated with great pomp and pageantry. The anniversary year featured the Centre’s regular lecture-demonstration sessions with speakers from across England, the annual Fun Day, and a public gathering at Gordon Square to celebrate Rabindranath Tagore’s birthday. 

​

In addition, the Centre collaborated with SOAS to host a commemorative afternoon dedicated to the late Professor William Radice, held at the Khalili Lecture Hall, with active participation from both organisations. The tribute was attended by Basabi Frazer of Edinburgh SCOTS team and William’s wife and daughter.  

The anniversary celebrations also included a professional stage production at The Bhavan Centre, where local artists from Manchester performed the musical Kalmrigaya, directed by Rishi Banerjee. This was followed by a tribute marking the centenary of the legendary music director Late Salil Chaudhury and the creative director Late Ritwik Ghatak. The tribute featured renowned national vocalists Dr Sahana Bhajpaie and Sanjoy Dey, performing alongside their students, accompanied by Sujoy Prasad from Kolkata and London-based renowned musicians. The auditorium was filled to capacity, reflecting the strong engagement and enthusiasm of the audience. 

​

The year drew to a close with the AGM, followed by a members’ showcase and a year-end gathering shaped in the spirit of an old-fashioned adda. The evening unfolded with impromptu music and dance, spontaneous readings and shared storytelling, as voices and expressions rose naturally from within the gathering. It was a celebration of warmth and togetherness, drawing in people across generations and cultural backgrounds, bound by a shared love of creativity, conversation and community. 

​

Current Position 

In 2022, following the Council’s decision to repurpose the Alexandra Park Library premises, most of TCUK’s collection was transferred to the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies (OCHS). At present, TCUK no longer has a permanent library space. However, seminars and cultural activities continue with a smaller presence operating from the London Borough of Enfield. 

​

Annual cultural programmes are organised opportunistically to maintain awareness of TCUK’s work and introduce its legacy to new generations. Importantly, book publication has never ceased, and TCUK currently exhibits its publications through its own book stall at conventions across the UK. 

Shape 

​

Aspiration 

The 40th anniversary year broadened the Centre’s reach and visibility, generating renewed awareness across the wider community. Notably, a new generation of British-born Asians has expressed a strong desire to sustain and regularise these cultural activities—both to engage more deeply with the wider public and to pass this rich heritage on to their own children. 

​

A central aspiration is the recreation of a dedicated public library space—one that can also host workshops, seminars, and small gatherings, thoughtfully designed in an authentic Tagore-inspired style. TCUK is actively seeking collaborations with partner organisations to realise this vision and ensure the continuity of its cultural and educational mission. In parallel, workshops and book clubs are being initiated, and an exciting programme plan is currently in development for delivery during 2026–27. 

​

Looking ahead, TCUK remains committed to building on its rich legacy through new initiatives in library development, research, cultural outreach, and digital archiving. Future plans include the continued publication of original scholarship, the expansion of collections, and the organisation of high-profile cultural events that will further extend the Centre’s reach and impact. 

Shape 

​

Moving Forward 

The history of TCUK is one of vision, dedication, and achievement. From its beginnings as a gathering of scholars to its ongoing role as a promoter of cultural and academic exchange, TCUK has made a lasting contribution to the study and celebration of South Asian heritage in the UK and beyond. 

Sustained support and funding will be vital to preserve and expand this legacy, ensuring that TCUK continues to inspire future generations. 

​

What we do

​The Tagore Centre regularly organises seminars and cultural events based on Tagore’s work, alongside lectures delivered by distinguished scholars in their specialist fields. These include topics relating to other Bengali literary giants and musical luminaries. Events are staged at professional venues, and all members are welcome to attend. 

​

As a publishing house, TCUK has produced books for children, students, scholars, and the general public. Many of these are translations of Tagore’s original stories, as well as works exploring his life and philosophy. The Centre is committed to encouraging the continuation of such publications in English by the next generation of researchers and writers.