A German award to commemorate Tagore's 150 years

Well-known German pharmaceutical company Merck Tuesday announced an award in the name of Nobel laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore to honour those who have substantially contributed to Indo-German cultural relationship.

“The ‘Rabindranath Tagore Award’ will be given to those who have made substantial contribution to Indo-German cultural relationship.

Though it is not necessary for the awardee to deal exclusively with the works of Rabindranath Tagore, if the contribution to Indo-German cultural relationship is in context with the works of Tagore then it's good,” said Jon Baumhauer, chairman, executive board, Merck KGaA.

“The award will be given by the Max-Muller Bhawan and it will be sponsored by the Merck,” he said.

The award is in celebration of Tagore's 150th birth anniversary.

The Merck family was closely associated with Tagore and his works since early twentieth century. The family member, Elisabeth Wolff-Merck translated the play ‘Chitra’ (Chitrangada) by Tagore into German. Elisabeth’s husband started publishing Tagore's works in 1914, making the writer known in Germany.

The award will be given every two years. This year the award will be given in the month of March. But from next year, it will be given on May 7 - the birthday of Tagore.

The jury for selecting the winner will consist of a member from Max-Muller Bhawan, a member from the Merck Company, and an officer from the foreign office of Germany.

Baumhauer added that if needed, a few more people can be included in the jury.

Deutsche Philharmonie Merck is named after the Merck family of pharmacists, who in 1668 laid the foundations for the world’s oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company - today known as Merck in Darmstadt.