Tagore’s Timelessness : A name we are all familiar with from our childhoods, from the songs on the radio to the stories we would study in Bangla classes, is Rabindranath Tagore. In Bengali history and culture he is not just a name, but a pillar of the country’s literature and music.
Not only that, his works have spread throughout the globe and earned him the title of Biswakabi. Tagore’s talents range throughout most, if not all, areas of Bengali literature. His philosophy and uniqueness depicted in his writing earned him the Nobel prize in 1913. Although he is given the title of poet, the list of Tagore’s achievements throughout his life goes on and on.
When he reached eleven years of age, Tagore’s father took him on a world tour. During this time, his source of education was his father. Under his schooling, Tagore gained knowledge on history and literature as well. This is where Tagore’s journey into literature starts, as he started writing his own stories and poems from such a young age. In 1877, a criticism of Michael Madhusudan Dutta was published in the Bharati newspaper, which was written by eleven-year-old Tagore.
He then completed his primary education in Oriental Seminary in Kolkata. He attended Bengal Academy and St Xavier’s Collegiate for a while, only to realize traditional schools were too restrictive for him.
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Tagore’s most famous collection of short stories, Golpa Guccha, includes stories such as ‘Monihara’, ‘Nashtanir’ and ‘Kabuliwala’. The first book of poetry he published was called Kabi Kahini, where we can see how his writing changes as he grows older and wiser. In 1913, he won the Nobel Prize for his most famous book of poetry, Gitanjali, which was translated into English and called ‘The Song Offerings’. Tagore’s poem ‘Shesher Kabita’ was published in Pramatha Choudhuri’s Shobujpatra.
It is considered crucial for theatre apprentices to read through this. He wrote plays that had a more serious tone, which depicted the state of society. At the same time, he wrote comedies and dance dramas as well. Tagore’s famous comedic plays include ‘Hashyakautuk’ and ‘Goraya Galad’, while famous dance dramas include ‘Chitrangada’, ‘Shyama’ and ‘Chandalika’. However, Tagore’s talents do not stop there.
He mastered music in his lifetime as well. His lyrics are a combination of European and Indian classical music. He not only wrote the lyrics, but composed all his songs. ‘Amar Shonar Bangla’, written by Tagore, was named the national anthem of Bangladesh after independence. It perfectly depicts the love Bengali people have for their beautiful land. In all of his songs, the love that went into them can be clearly seen.
Santiniketan.
In the shadows of her trees we meet
in the freedom of her open sky.
Our dreams are rocked in her arms.
Her face is a fresh wonder of love every
time we see her,
for she is our own, the darling of our
hearts.
— Rabindranath Tagore,
Moreover, Tagore had his ambitions set in reforming the conservative education system of India. He established Bishwabharati University in 1918, where students were taught in the traditional way, as well as through nature. In later years, Tagore dabbled in painting.
Although his paintings were not very popular, his first exhibition was held in the Pigal Art Gallery, Paris in 1928. After a lifetime of achievements and improvements to the world around him, Tagore passed away on 7 August, 1941.
For Bengali writers, earning the Rabindra Award is the highest award they can achieve, which is awarded every year. These are just some of the tributes to the Bishwakabi Rabindranath Tagore. Every year, musical programmes are held in his honour, where the country’s Rabindra Sangeet singers would gather to sing his melodious songs. Even after his demise decades ago, Tagore continues to live on through his spectacular and heartfelt works generation after generation.
Author: Tasnia Naureen
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