Bust of Rabindranath Tagore

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On July 7, 2011, HRH The Prince of Wales unveiled a bronze sculpture of India's greatest poet Rabindranath Tagore in London's Gordon Square to celebrate the poet's 150th birthday. The Tagore Centre UK organized the campaign and raised funds through an appeal. Kalyan Kundu, founder and chairperson of The Tagore Centre UK, said he was unsure about the Centre's future but was glad the memorial would leave a lasting legacy for generations to come. The bust was sculpted by artist Shenda Armery, who had previously created sculptures of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and House of Commons Speaker Baroness Betty Boothroyd. The ceremony took place amidst the greenery of Gordon Square, with the morning rain clearing just as Prince Charles arrived and was greeted with applause from a large gathering of distinguished guests. Before the unveiling, members of The Tagore Centre UK performed Tagore songs, along with four professional dancers who braved the conditions to deliver a sterling performance for His Royal Highness. In his opening speech, Kalyan Kundu said: "Today we gather here to witness the historic unveiling of this bronze sculpture of Rabindranath Tagore... a poet, philosopher, and Renaissance man of India." He mentioned how Tagore not only created modern art in India but also shaped the minds of modern India and was a champion of the 'one-world' philosophy. Mr. Kundu poignantly remarked that July 7 marks one of the darkest days in history, six years ago, when London experienced a terrible atrocity, and that the unveiling of a statue of an apostle of peace is a significant reminder that a world of resentment and fear benefits no one. Prince Charles gave an emotional speech, adding that the occasion marked a message of 'harmony' from Tagore. He pointed out that the site was just a stone's throw away from where one of the four atrocities had taken place on that tragic day. Prince Charles had previously sent a message to Dartington Hall in Devon, saying: "Tagore has always been regarded as exceptional in his work as a philosopher and writer, poet, playwright, educator, rural renewal advocate, and painter crossing East and West." "Of course, today's date marks a dark anniversary," he remarked. "The inscriptions on this bust will shine out as a beacon of tolerance, understanding, and unity and diversity." He added: "One hundred and fifty years on from his birth, I find Tagore's work very relevant for our time, particularly his understanding of harmony." Prince Charles spoke about the way climate is being disrupted and resources are being depleted, and the skies, rivers, and seas are being polluted. He urged that we cannot deny great teachers like Tagore any longer, and he wondered how long it would be before we come to our senses and see the damage and hurt. He ended with a passionate appeal: "Perhaps more than anything else, it is this message of Tagore we need to hear, tend to, and act upon. It now gives me the greatest possible pleasure and privilege to unveil this bust of a great man."