Rabindranath Tagore
Rabindranath Tagore 
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| Rabindranath Tagore in the 1930s | |
| Born | 07 May 1861 |
| Birthplace | Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India (now Kolkata, West Bengal, India) |
| Died | 07 August 1941 (aged 80) |
| Place of death | Calcutta, British India |
| Resting place | Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Poet, Writer, Composer, Philosopher, Painter |
| Years active | 1877–1941 |
| Known for | Gitanjali, Jana Gana Mana, Visva-Bharati University |
| Notable works | Gitanjali, The Home and the World, Kabuliwala, Chokher Bali, Jana Gana Mana |
| Awards | Nobel Prize in Literature (1913) |
| Spouse(s) | Mrinalini Devi |
| Children | Five (including Rathindranath Tagore) |
| Parents | Debendranath Tagore (father), Sarada Devi (mother) |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Website | |
Rabindranath Tagore (7 May 1861 – 7 August 1941) was a Bengali poet, writer, philosopher, painter, educationist, and composer. He reshaped modern Bengali literature and music and became the **first non-European to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature** in 1913 for his celebrated work Gitanjali.<ref name="britannica">https://www.britannica.com/biography/Rabindranath-Tagore</ref>
He also wrote the national anthem of India, Jana Gana Mana, and the national anthem of Bangladesh, Amar Shonar Bangla, making him the only person in history to author the national anthems of two countries.
Early Life and Education
[edit | edit source]Tagore was born into a culturally influential Bengali Brahmo family in Calcutta. The youngest of thirteen surviving children, he grew up surrounded by music, literature, and art.
He was largely homeschooled and began writing poetry at the age of eight. In 1878, he traveled to London to study law at University College London but returned to India without completing the program, drawn instead to literature, philosophy, and music.
Literary Contributions
[edit | edit source]- Wrote over **2,000 songs**, including Rabindra Sangeet
- Authored **short stories, novels, plays, essays, and poetry**
- His poetry collection Gitanjali earned him global acclaim
- Composed **Jana Gana Mana** (India’s national anthem)
- Composed **Amar Shonar Bangla** (Bangladesh’s national anthem)
Some of his most acclaimed works include:
- Kabuliwala
- The Home and the World
- Gora
- Chokher Bali
- Stray Birds
Educational & Social Reforms
[edit | edit source]- Founded **Visva-Bharati University** at Santiniketan in 1921 to promote a blend of Eastern and Western learning
- Advocated for **rural reconstruction, self-reliance, and humanistic education**
- Criticized rigid nationalism and colonial rule through his lectures and essays
Visva-Bharati remains one of India’s leading cultural and academic institutions.
Philosophy
[edit | edit source]Tagore’s philosophy combined:
- Vedantic spirituality
- Universal humanism
- Harmony between nature, art, and humanity
- Freedom of thought and creativity
He believed in cultural unity, individual freedom, and the elevation of human consciousness. His conversations with figures such as Einstein reflected his deep interest in bridging science and spirituality.
Legacy
[edit | edit source]- First Asian Nobel Laureate
- Pioneer of the Bengal Renaissance
- His works influenced global writers including **W. B. Yeats**
- His birthday is celebrated as **Rabindra Jayanti**
- Considered India’s greatest cultural icon
Tagore’s artistic reach spans poetry, music, dance-drama, novels, painting, and education, making him one of the most versatile creators in world literature.
See Also
[edit | edit source]- Gitanjali
- Jana Gana Mana
- Visva-Bharati University
- Bengal Renaissance
- Nobel Prize in Literature
References
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