Remembering Ravindranath Tagore on his birth anniversary. In this article, we take you through the journey of Rabindranth Tagore as a poet, musician, writer and even a painter, Rabindranath Tagore, one of the greatest minds of India.
Rabindranath Tagore was one of the most admired icons of Indian literature. Tagore penned many novels and short stories with influential female characters. He was an author ahead of his time.
His poems at first had a blend of spiritual and romantic notions. He later spoke about the colonized people of India. Tagore thought deeply about the impact on the social and political thought trends in his times.
Rabindranath Tagore died on August 7, 1941, aged 80 but his work and legacy will live forever. Rabindranath Tagore is such a great figure. He would have turned 159 on May 7 had he been alive today.
He may not be physically in our midst but he is still immortal. He was popularly known as ‘Gurudev’ or Bard of Bengal.
Tagore composed more than 2,000 songs and penned a large number of poems, stories, dramas, and novels. His works “Gitanjali” and “Jeevan Smriti” are still cherished today.
Tagore came from a notable Brahmo family and played a major role in introducing Indian literature to the world.
On his 159th birth anniversary, let’s know some rare facts about him.
Tagore began writing Poetry from his Childhood
Tagore wrote his first verse in poetry at the age of eight. At the age of 16, he published a collection of poems under the pseudonym Bhanusimha. He began writing short stories and dramas under his own name regularly and contributed to Bharati, a family magazine.
First Non-European to Win a Nobel Literature Prize
Rabindranath Tagore was not only the first Asian to win a Nobel prize, but also the first Non-European to mark his prominence in literature.
Tagore Inspired 3 National Anthems
Many people are aware that Tagore wrote 2 national anthems. “Jana Gana Mana” for India and “Amar Sonar Bangla” for Bangladesh. He also inspired the Sri Lankan national anthem “Sri Lanka Matha”.
He Made a School From His Nobel Prize
Rabindranath Tagore invested his Nobel Prize money in constructing the “Visva-Bharati” school in Shantiniketan.
Preface of Gitanjali is Written by W.B. Yeats
The preface of Tagore’s most acclaimed work, Gitanjali, was written by another greatest poet of the 20th century, W.B. Yeats.
Tagore was Colour Blind
Tagore took up drawing and painting, at the age of sixty. Many of his works were put on display throughout Europe. He was red and green color blind.
Nobel Prize of Rabindranath was Stolen
Tagore’s Nobel Prize medal was stolen in a theft at Shantiniketan in 2004. It was replaced by The Swedish Academy again in the form of two replicas, a gold and a silver.
In Conversation With Einstein
Tagore was once invited by Albert Einstein at his home. They are supposed to have met many times. The two discussed about religion and science and their chat has been documented in the “Note on the Nature of Reality”.
Tagore Worked on All Genres
Tagore wrote novels, short stories, poems, essays, verses, dramas, songs, and a lot of other stuff. He is believed to have worked on almost all kinds of genres.
Tagore was Knighted Once
King George V of England knighted Rabindranath Tagore in 1915 for his great contribution in the field of literature. Tagore renounced his title, in protest of the tragic massacre at Jallianwala Bagh in 1919.
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