Rabindranath Tagore

Today, people still enjoy singing Rabindra Sangeet and learning it. Rabindranath Tagore is still revered today. His songs are favorites among all Bengalis, as they bring new life and immense happiness.

It is important for us to know about the person who holds such significance in our lives. Let's delve into the story of Rabindranath Tagore.

Rabindranath Tagore was born on May 7, 1861, in the Jorasanko palace, the ancestral home of the Tagore family in Calcutta. He was the youngest son among thirteen children. Due to his father's extensive travels and the untimely demise of his mother during his childhood, he was largely raised by maids and servants.

Rabindranath Tagore grew up during the Bengal renaissance, actively participating in this cultural and intellectual movement. Even as a child prodigy, he started writing poetry at the tender age of 8. He also showed artistic talent and began writing poetry under the pen name Bhanusimha at the age of sixteen. In 1882, he published the collection of poems called "Sandhya Sangit," and in 1877, he wrote the short story "Bhikharini."

His inspiration to write classical poetry came from reading the works of Kalidasa. His siblings also played a significant role in shaping his creative journey. His brother Satyendranath held a prestigious position, while his elder brother Dwijendranath was a poet and philosopher. Additionally, his sister Swarnakumari was a renowned novelist. Tagore received education in various subjects, including gymnastics, martial arts, art, anatomy, literature, history, and mathematics, from his siblings. He also traveled across the country with his father in 1873, gaining knowledge about different topics and even writing poems and articles about Sikhism.

Tagore's formal education began in a public school in Brighton, East Sussex, England. His father wanted him to become a barrister, so he was sent to England in 1878. During his stay, he was accompanied by some family members, including his nephew, niece, and sister-in-law. However, Tagore had little interest in formal education and showed more enthusiasm for studying Shakespearean plays on his own.

After exploring English, Irish, and Scottish literature and music, Tagore returned to India and married Mrinalini Devi when she was only 10 years old. In Santiniketan, his father purchased a vast property where Tagore established an ashram with the intention of opening an experimental school. Classes were conducted under trees, following the traditional Guru-Shishya method of instruction. He believed that reviving this ancient educational approach would be more beneficial than the modern system.

Even as a teenager, Tagore began writing short stories. His first published work was "Bhikharini." His early stories reflected the environment in which he was raised. Among his many well-known short stories are "Kabuliwala," "Kshudita Pashan," "Atottju," "Haimanti," and "Musalmanir Golpo." While his novels didn't receive as much attention, it was mainly due to his unique narrative style, which can still be challenging for readers today. His writings addressed significant societal issues and future threats of nationalism. His book "Shesher Kobita" presented its tale through poetry and the rhythmic narration of the main character. Interestingly, Tagore portrayed his characters playfully making fun of him, adding a touch of sarcasm to his dated poetry. Some of his other well-known books include "Noukadubi," "Gora," "Chaturanga," "Ghare Baire," and "Jogajog."

Tagore drew inspiration from classical poets of the 15th and 16th centuries, such as Ramprasad Sen and Kabir, with whom his work is often compared. He encouraged future poets to think of Tagore and his writings while reading their own poems. His notable works include "Balaka," "Purobi," "Sonar Tori," and "Gitanjali," among others.

Tagore's political stance was somewhat ambiguous. Despite criticizing imperialism, he supported the continuation of British rule in India. In his essay "The Cult of the Charka," published in September 1925, he opposed Mahatma Gandhi's "Swadeshi Movement," believing in peaceful coexistence between the British and Indians. He considered British occupation a "political symptom of our social disease." Tagore was against nationalism, considering it one of humanity's worst problems. Although he occasionally supported the Indian Independence Movement, he once stated that a nation is merely an aspect that a whole population assumes when organized for a mechanical purpose. As a form of protest against the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, he renounced his knighthood on May 30, 1919.

In recognition of his remarkable literary achievements, Tagore was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature on November 14, 1913. However, following the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, he renounced his knighthood in 1919. In 1940, Oxford University honored him with a Doctorate of Literature in a special ceremony held at Shantiniketan.

The last years of Rabindranath Tagore's life were plagued by severe illness, and he battled two protracted illnesses. In 1937, he fell into a comatose state, which recurred three years later. After a prolonged period of illness, Tagore passed away on August 7, 1941, in the same Jorasanko mansion where he was raised.

Rabindranath Tagore continues to be revered as "Our Everything" in our hearts and minds.