Sivagiri to celebrate centenary of Guru-Tagore meeting

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Today marks hundred years since the meeting between Sree Narayana Guru and renowned poet Rabindranath Tagore. The great poet arrived at ‘Vaidika Madom’, Guru’s resting place in Sivagiri on November 15, 1922, at 4 pm. Sivagiri is gearing up to celebrate the centenary of that ethereal historical moment by arranging several events.

The Guru-Tagore meeting centenary celebrations will begin with a poetry recital on Monday at 9 am. On 15th at 10 am, the Centenary Conference will be inaugurated by Bidyut Chakraborty, Vice Chancellor of Visva Bharati Central University, Kolkata.

he Kerala trip was part of Tagore's India tour to raise funds for the Visva-Bharati University. The great poet came to Thiruvananthapuram on the invitation of the Maharaja of Travancore. At the request of Dr Palpu, he reached the Varkala Musavari bungalow on November 15th and then arrived at the Sivagiri Mutt.

As he stepped into the mutt, Guru opened the door and came out of Vaidika Mutt. What Tagore said after the meeting is also history, "My heart has changed after seeing you”.

Apart from Dr Palpu, Tagore's private secretary CF Andrews, Swami Sivaprasad, Kumaranashan and Natarajaguru were also present. After the visit, Tagore wanted Guru to come to Calcutta, but it did not happen.