The Global Legacy of Rabindranath Tagore

Join us for a soul-stirring exploration of poetry, song, and philosophy that spans continents and generations. This program traces the powerful legacy of Nobel laureate and polymath Rabindranath Tagore, whose ideas on humanity, spirituality, and creativity resonated far beyond his homeland and influenced the global literary imagination.

Through readings and musical selections from Tagore’s poems and songs, the program journeys across the works of renowned 20th-century voices such as Maya Angelou, Bob Dylan, Pablo Neruda, and other celebrated poets. Our exploration highlights fascinating parallels between their themes and Tagore’s philosophy, revealing how his vision of universal humanism and artistic freedom helped shape modern poetic thought.

The event will include a brief look at Tagore’s presence in contemporary America, including glimpses of his remarkable intellectual exchanges with figures such as Albert Einstein and Helen Keller, offering a window into the global conversations his ideas helped inspire.

Come experience an evening of poetry, music, and discovery as we uncover the enduring global legacy of one of the world’s greatest literary minds.

About the Presenter

Dr. Kallol Basu is a New Jersey–based business leader and scholar with a doctorate in organizational change management. Alongside his professional career as Chief Strategy Officer at a leading IT services firm, he is deeply engaged in exploring the global legacy of Rabindranath Tagore. He recently directed the documentary Tracing Tagore’s Legacy in America, which premiered at the University of Illinois in August 2025 and examines Tagore’s travels across the United States and the intellectual and cultural influence he left behind. A writer and heritage enthusiast, Dr. Basu has contributed to English-language newspapers in both the United States and India and actively supports social entrepreneurship initiatives through several NGOs.