Shivaprakash to head Tagore centre

Coming under the jurisdiction of the external affairs ministry, the Tagore Centre presents and showcases the rich Indian heritage and diversity of its culture through a broad spectrum of events like dance, music, literary events, films, seminars, exhibitions, etc.

Speaking on his new appointment which is for a term of three years, Shivaprakash, who is currently professor at the School of Arts and Aesthetics, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, told Deccan Herald that he was delighted on the development. “My role will be a facilitator in organising Indian cultural events in Germany which includes dance, theatre, film and literary shows. Also, this year being the 150th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, the responsibility will be to organise events relating to his works.”

The poet-playwright-critic-translator noted that it may take at least two months for him to take up his new responsibility after completing his commitments at JNU and undergoing a diplomatic course. He said he will be the second Kannadiga to occupy such a post – playwright Girish Karnad was director of Nehru Centre at London. Normally, these posts are the exclusive preserve of the Indian Foreign Service officers.

The 58-year old literary figure bagged, among many awards, the Sangeet Natak Akademi award in 1997. He is Honorary Fellow, School of Letters, University of Iowa, USA.