This year marks the centenary of the historic meeting of Latin American literary critic and feminist writer Victoria Ocampo with Viswa Kabi Rabindranath Tagore in Argentina.
The meeting of these two legendary writers in 1924 has been immortalized in the memoirs of the two, the exchange of personal letters and the many eventful narratives surrounding the dedication of Rabindranath's 'Purabi' poem to Victoria. The Indira Gandhi Cultural Center (IGCC) of the Indian High Commission in Dhaka presented this sweet story of the two to the literature and music lovers of Dhaka.
On Monday evening in the capital's Chayanot Auditorium, eminent Rabindra expert and artist Dr. Anant Gupta of UK and his co-artists splendidly presented TAGORE AND VICTORIA OCAMPO-VIJAYA the victorious: 100 years on mesmerizing the audience.
Director of Indira Gandhi Cultural Center (IGCC) Dr. Mrinmoy Chakraborty highlighted the perspective of the organization. Marcelo C Chessar, Argentina's ambassador to Dhaka, was the guest at the event. Chesser highlighted Rabindranath's presence in the hearts of the people of Latin America and described him as a great writer who bridged the East and the West. During the program, artists performed various classic songs composed by Rabindranath with dance while staying in Argentina. At the same time, the context of those songs is presented.
It is to be noted that sixty-three-year-old Rabindranath fell ill at sea while attending the celebration of the centenary of the country's independence struggle at the invitation of the Peruvian government in 1924. Meanwhile, he stopped in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, and stayed at a hotel in the city of San Isidro. There, a great admirer of poet was famous Argentine literary and feminist writer Victoria Ocampo (who became a fan of poet along with his poetry after reading the French translation of poet's Gitanjali). Victoria Ocampo rushed to the poet on the news of Rabindranath's arrival. She brought the poet from the hotel to the garden house on the river bank to recuperate.
After that, the relationship between these two writers developed into a deep spiritual relationship. The poet used to address her as Vijaya. Victoria is also present in various songs of the poet. He dedicated the poetry book 'Purabi' to her. Ocampo brought Rabindranath to life in paintings. She organized the exhibition. The letters exchanged between the two legendary writers have become an eternal treasure of literature.