Sylvain Lévi (March 28, 1863 – October 30, 1935) was an orientalist and indologist. Born in Paris on March 28, 1863, his book Théâtre Indien is an important work on the subject. Lévi also conducted some of the earliest analysis of Tokharian fragments discovered in Western China.
He used to come to Rabindranath twice in a week.He was simple, approachable and open hear ted gentleman. He proposed to Rabindranath to deliver a lecture in Sarbon University when he would come back again to france after visiting Holland.Rabindranath requested him to make an arrangement so that India and France could open an avenue for interchange between the two countries. The Indians had their access to Western culture through the English language - they knowledge in European couture is superficial..
The culture of Europe, too, had become one-sided, they had little knowledge of Eastern Culture. Moreover, they had lost the centre of gravity by receding from Christianity.Under these circumstances if they could not get access to eastern ideals and religious wisdom, the result might be disastrous. for this reason we must exchange our intellects.
Sylvain Levi also invited Rabindranath to visit his place of residence. Rathindranath said The environment where Mr Levi stayed was not attractive but after getting into his flat one must forget things outside his flat and the motherly behaviour of Madam Levi made the flat homely to them. Rabindranath invited Levi to become a guest lecturer to Viswa Bharati which he accepted and he became the first guest lecturer of Viswa Bharati.
Rabindranath wrote to Andrews;
" He is a great scholar as you know, but his heart is larger even than his intellect and his learning. his philosophy has not been able to wither his soul. His mind has the translucent implicity of greatness and his heart is overflowing with trustful generosity which will never acknowledge disillusionment. His students come to love the subject he teaches them because they love him.
Just two days since they had come to Paris Prof, Le Brun with his wife came to see Rabindranath. He has published many articles on the life and works of Rabindranath Tagore in La Connaissance journal. he also translated The Gardener and the Crescent Moon in French. His wife was her studemt and of about half of his age but both of them were fond of works of Rabindranath. Brun had published this meeting with Rabindranth in the above journal.
One day wife of Mr.Albert Kahn proposed them to visit the battlefield of Rheims destroyed in the last WW I and he actually brought them to Rheims on 21 Aug. They saw the devastation of the city and its surrounding village. (contd next page)
