On Saturday, 24 May 2025, a heartfelt memorial was held at the Khalili Lecture Theatre, SOAS, to honour the life and work of Professor William Radice, a much-loved scholar, colleague and friend. The Tagore Centre UK organised the event in collaboration with SOAS University of London, where William had long been associated as a research associate.
Prof Radice studied Bengali at SOAS under the late Dr Tarapada Mukherjee and nurtured a deep and enduring interest in Bengali language and literature. Among his scholarly passions, the writings of Michael Madhusudan Dutt and Rabindranath Tagore held a special place. He was a close friend and ardent supporter of The Tagore Centre UK. His passing on 10 November 2024 was a great loss to the academic and cultural communities he helped nurture.
The memorial event was initiated by Dr Raka Mukhopadhyay, who collaborated closely with Dr Sahana Bajpaie, in coordination with SOAS head Dr Subir Sinha and technical advisor Sunil Pun. Their combined efforts were instrumental in making this tribute a meaningful and memorable occasion. In many ways, the event also rekindled the deep and enduring partnership between The Tagore Centre UK and SOAS – an affiliation originally fostered by Prof Radice himself. The gathering brought together participants from diverse age groups and ethnic backgrounds, celebrating the inclusive spirit William embodied.
The ceremony was graced by William’s wife, Mrs Elizabeth Radice, and daughter Helen, whose presence made the occasion especially poignant. Despite ill health, Dr Kalyan Kundu, a founding member of The Tagore Centre UK, attended and shared touching memories of his longtime friend.
After a warm welcome by Dr Sipra Adya, the programme, conducted by Dr Raka Mukhopadhyay, unfolded through a series of personal tributes and academic reflections. Dr Basabi Fraser, Dr Sahana Bajpaie, Dr Matt Pritchard and Dr John Stevens shared memories and insights, including readings from William’s own translations. A message from friend and colleague Martin Kämpchen, who was unable to attend, was read by Soumi Sen, while Parul Saha shared moving recollections from the two daughters of Dr Tarapada Mukherjee.
Selections from William’s translation work were read aloud by Devi Bose and Shohan Roy, offering the audience a glimpse into his literary vision. Musical tributes with Tagore songs performed by Dr Sunit Ghatak, Dr Suha Priyadarshini Chakraborty, Dr Matt Prichard and Dr Sahana Bajpaie, filled the auditorium with emotion and reverence.
As a fitting close, the gathering joined in singing “Purano Shei Diner Kotha…”, one of Tagore’s most beloved songs, in a collective tribute that united performers and audience in shared memory and farewell.
In the words of Elizabeth Radice, “It was particularly special because of its being a kind of Bengali farewell. I feel you gave him something in the way you marked both his passing and what he has left behind that we, his family, could not do. He always identified so closely with Bengal and with its people, and I know how happy it would have made him to have such a tribute as yours.”
The memorial was not just a farewell – it was a celebration of the connections, values, and passions that William Radice lived for. His legacy lives on in the vibrant exchange between cultures and communities he so deeply cherished.
The Tagore Centre UK 