![]() ![]() Tagore was a polymath, and towards the end of his life he took up art and also pursued an interest in science. In 1919, Tagore returned his knighthood in protest at the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, in which many peaceful Indian protesters were killed. ‘the ultimate truth in man is not in his intellect or his possessions it is in his illumination of mind, in his extension of sympathy across all barriers of caste and colour, in his recognition of the world, not merely as a storehouse of power, but as a habitation of man’s spirit, with its eternal music of beauty and its inner light of the divine presence.’ – Tagore, The Poet’s Religion’ in Creative Unity (1922) In particular, he was very denigrating about India’s obsession with caste. Tagore was an opponent of British imperialism, though he also felt Indians had a duty to improve their self-education he said that British rule was partly due to the state India had fallen into. Tagore is unique for being the official composer for the national anthem of two countries – India’s Jana Gana Mana and Bangladesh’s Amar Shonar Bangla. Like his literature, he broke away from classical constraints to offer a great emotive and spiritual appeal. He composed over 2,000 songs which have been popularised and sung widely across Bengal. For Tagore, his religion could be found in the wonders and mysteries of nature – as much as in temples and sacred books. Tagore had a great love for nature and many of his poems invoke the simple beauties of the natural world. He also became acquainted with many of the leading cultural contemporaries of the day this included W.B.Yeats, George Bernard Shaw, Romain Rolland, Robert Frost and Albert Einstein. This gave Tagore the opportunity to travel extensively giving lectures and recitals in many different countries. “My debts are large, my failures great, my shame secret and heavy yet I come to ask for my good, I quake in fear lest my prayer be granted.” – Gitanjali In 1913, Tagore was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature for his work ‘ Gitanjali‘ This made his writings internationally known and his fame spread throughout the world. When Gandhi went on a fast unto death, it was Tagor who was able to persuade Gandhi to give up his fast and look after his health. For example, he disagreed with Gandhi’s views on Swaraj protests and upbraided Gandhi when Gandhi claimed an earthquake was ‘divine retribution for the mistreatment of Dalits in India.’ Yet despite the frequent divergence of opinions, they could admire each other. But, despite this friendship, he could be critical of his views. Tagore was firm friends with Gandhi and admired him very much. – Tagore, Sādhanā : The Realisation of Life (1916) Friendship with Gandhi It is not a mere sentiment it is truth it is the joy that is at the root of all creation.” “Love is the ultimate meaning of everything around us. He chose the name for the ashram – Shantiniketan meaning ‘Abode of Peace.’ In 1878 he travelled to England and sought to study law at University College, London, but he left before finishing the degree.Īfter returning to India, in 1901, Tagore moved to Shantiniketan to found an ashram which became his focal point for writing and his view on schooling. He mostly rejected formal schooling he spent much time being taught at home. Rabindranath began writing from an early age and impressed with his free-flowing style and spontaneous compositions. Debendranath Tagore also encouraged his family to learn English. His father Debendranath Tagore was a leading light in the Brahmo Samaj – a reforming Hindu organisation which sought to promote a monotheistic interpretation of the Upanishads and move away from the rigidity of Hindu Orthodoxy which they felt was holding back India. ![]() Sadhana: The Realisation of Life, (1916) Short Biography Rabindranath Tagore Civilisation must be judged and prized, not by the amount of power it has developed, but by how much it has evolved and given expression to, by its laws and institutions, the love of humanity.” “So I repeat we never can have a true view of man unless we have a love for him. He has been described as one of the first Twentieth Century’s global man. He took an active interest in a widespread range of social, cultural and artistic endeavours. Tagore is most widely known for his poetry, but he was also an accomplished author of novels, short stories, plays and articles. Poet, writer and humanitarian, Rabindranath Tagore was the first Indian to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature and he played a key role in the renaissance of modern India.
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