In appreciation of the universal appeal of the message of Rabindranath Tagore, the poet of India, it is fitting that nations, of the world are paying tribute to his memory in this centenary year of his birth.

In 1958 the Rabindranath Tagore Centenary Committee was formed in America by a group who, in this troubled time, wished to present anew Tagore’s ideals of international understanding and cooperation. It is gratifying that many people in the education and cultural life of America have become associated with this Committee.

A sense of sprrow and great loss is felt by the Committee at the sudden death of Professor Taraknath Das who, from the beginning, took a leading part in its activities. Deep gratitude is due to the members and officials, as well as others, who, directly or indirectly, have helped in the various Centenary undertakings. Among these are Professor Richard L. Park, who is in charge of the Tagore Memorial Lectureship, and Professor Robert I. Crane, Chairman of the Literary Subcommittee. Welcome cooperation has been extended by the association for Asian Studies, South Asia Committee, the Asia Society, and the embassy of India and its various agencies.

Although Tagore’s plays have been produced professionally in Europe, particularly in England, France, Germany and Russia, they have as yet not been seen in America except on collage stages. In an earnest desire to introduce Tagore’s significant and sensitive plays to the American public, the Committee is pleased to sponsor this production of KING OF THE DARK CHAMBER with Patricia Newhall, Herold Leventhal, and Van Joyce as producers and Krishna Shah of the Indian National Theatre as director.