Rabindranath Tagore | Biography, Poems, Quotes, & Education

Rabindranath Tagore was an Indian poet, writer, philosopher, and musician. He was the first person outside Europe to have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. In 1913, he received it for Gitanjali—a collection of poems. His works in literature, music, and views on education shaped India and the world at large.

Personal Information

Full Name	Rabindranath Thakur
Born	7 May 1861
Died	7 August 1941
Pen name	Bhanusimha
Occupation	Poet, novelist, dramatist, story-writer, painter, social reformer
Language	Bengali
Notable works	Gitanjali, Ghare-Baire, Gora, Bharoto Bhagyo Bidhata, Amar Shonar Bangla, Jana Gana Mana, Rabindra Sangeet
Notable awards	Nobel Prize in Literature
Country	India

Early Life and Family Background

Born on May 7, 1861, Rabindranath Tagore is often told to be from a very rich cultural family that was born in Calcutta, India, then known as Kolkata. His father was Debendranath Tagore, a religious reformer, and his mother was Sarada Devi, from a very famous family of Bengalis. He was the youngest of thirteen children and had a home that supported arts and education.

Tagore’s Education

Early Schooling in Calcutta

Tagore had unusual childhood education. The nature of his education during his childhood was to be kept indoors and coached by various tutors. He was often bored in school classrooms. Tagore was naturally inquisitive and had an eye for literature and natural culture; this influences his writing style.

Studies in England

Between 1878 and 1880, Tagore went to England to study law at University College London. Once more, he did not complete the degree and returned to India to avoid further imprisonment. It was now, sitting in England and amidst exposures to Western literature and philosophy, which ran through his Indian heritage, that his works began to take shape.

Tagore’s Early Writings

For Rabindranath, writing poetry was just something one did naturally. When he was sixteen, he had already started publishing his first collection of poems, but this was done using the alias Bhanusimha. His works at this time were deeply colored with love for nature and spirituality and would remain a constant feature in most of his later works.

Tagore’s Literary Career

Poetry Collections

Tagore’s full flowering took place during the two periods between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He wrote a large collection of poetry, some of which are notable: Manasi, Sonar Tori, and Balaka.

Famous Works like Gitanjali

His most famous work, probably, is Gitanjali (Song Offerings), an arrangement of poems that express one’s love, conceived as the relation between God and man. He won this collection of poems the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913, and he was an international celebrity afterward.

List of Poems by Rabindranath Tagore

Tagore’s prolific work includes poems from the early 1880s through the 1940s, so this list highlights a few famous poems from various phases of his career:

1. “Nirjharer Swapnabhanga” (The Fountain Awakened)

• Year: 1882
• Bengali Title: নির্ঝরর স্বপ্নভঙ্গ
• English Translation: The Fountain Awakened
• Description: One of his early poems, this captures the essence of awakening creativity, inspired by nature and a yearning for freedom.

2. “Niruddesh Yatra” (Voyage Without a Destination)

• Year: 1896
• Bengali Title: নিরুদ্দেশ যাত্রা
• English Translation: Voyage Without a Destination
• Description: A philosophical piece that delves into the endless journey of life and the soul’s search for purpose.

3. “Sonar Tori” (The Golden Boat)

• Year: 1894
• Bengali Title: সোনার তরী
• English Translation: The Golden Boat
• Description: This poem explores themes of departure, loss, and the transient nature of life.

4. “Chitto Jetha Bhayashunyo” (Where the Mind is Without Fear)

• Year: 1910
• Bengali Title: চিত্ত যেথা ভয়শূন্য
• English Translation: Where the Mind is Without Fear
• Description: Part of the collection Gitanjali, this poem envisions a society free from fear and narrow-mindedness, which resonated as a call for India’s independence.

5. “Birpurush” (The Hero)

• Year: 1907
• Bengali Title: বীরপুরুষ
• English Translation: The Hero
• Description: A narrative poem presenting a child’s imagination of bravery and heroism, reflecting Tagore’s unique approach to exploring childhood themes.

6. “Prarthana” (Prayer)

• Year: 1910
• Bengali Title: প্রার্থনা
• English Translation: Prayer
• Description: This poem reflects on the devotion and humility required to seek strength and wisdom, seeking enlightenment from a higher power.

7. “Dui Bigha Jomi” (Two Acres of Land)

• Year: 1914
• Bengali Title: দুই বিঘা জমি
• English Translation: Two Acres of Land
• Description: A story of rural Bengal, portraying the loss and displacement of farmers. Tagore criticizes social injustice and exploitation.

8. “Puratan Bhritto” (The Old Servant)

• Year: 1925
• Bengali Title: পুরাতন ভৃত্য
• English Translation: The Old Servant
• Description: This poem reflects on aging and loyalty, evoking the nostalgia of a past life dedicated to service.

9. “Shesher Kobita” (The Last Poem)

• Year: 1929
• Bengali Title: শেষের কবিতা
• English Translation: The Last Poem
• Description: Although a novel, its poetic style contains Tagore’s reflections on love, relationships, and human imperfection.

10. “Aikatan” (Harmony)

• Year: 1930
• Bengali Title: ঐকতান
• English Translation: Harmony
• Description: This piece symbolizes unity and collective consciousness, an important theme in Tagore’s later works.

11. “Ami” (I Am)

• Year: 1940
• Bengali Title: আমি
• English Translation: I Am
• Description: Written toward the end of Tagore’s life, it reflects on self-identity, existence, and the eternal bond with the divine.

12. “Tomar Khola Hawa” (Your Open Breeze)

• Year: 1940
• Bengali Title: তোমার খোলা হাওয়া
• English Translation: Your Open Breeze
• Description: A lyrical poem celebrating freedom, nature, and love, often adapted into songs.

Rabindranath Tagore Books

1880s-1890s

1. “Bhanusimha Thakurer Padabali” (Songs of Bhanusimha)
   • Year: 1884
   • Bengali Title: ভানুসিংহ ঠাকুরের পদাবলী
   • English Translation: Songs of Bhanusimha
   • Description: Tagore’s early collection of lyrical poems, published under the pen name Bhanusimha.
2. “Manasi” (The Ideal One)
   • Year: 1890
   • Bengali Title: মানসী
   • English Translation: The Ideal One
   • Description: A collection that includes romantic and philosophical poems, reflecting Tagore’s early literary voice.
3. “Chitra” (Chitra)
   • Year: 1896
   • Bengali Title: চিত্রা
   • English Translation: Chitra
   • Description: A dramatic play based on an episode from the Mahabharata, focusing on the character of Chitrangada.
4. “Katha o Kahini” (Tales and Stories)
   • Year: 1899
   • Bengali Title: কথা ও কাহিনী
   • English Translation: Tales and Stories
   • Description: A collection of narrative poems based on historical and mythological stories.

1900s

6. “Naivedya” (Offerings)
   • Year: 1901
   • Bengali Title: নৈবেদ্য
   • English Translation: Offerings
   • Description: Poems focusing on devotion, spirituality, and Tagore’s connection with the divine.
7. “Gitanjali” (Song Offerings)
   • Year: 1910 (Bengali), 1912 (English)
   • Bengali Title: গীতাঞ্জলি
   • English Translation: Song Offerings
   • Description: Tagore’s most famous collection of devotional poems, earning him the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913.
8. “Gora” (Gora)
   • Year: 1910
   • Bengali Title: গোরা়
   • English Translation: Gora
   • Description: A novel that addresses nationalism, identity, and religious diversity in colonial India.
9. “Dak Ghar” (The Post Office)
   • Year: 1912
   • Bengali Title: ডাকঘর
   • English Translation: The Post Office
   • Description: A symbolic play that explores themes of life, death, and freedom, centered on a terminally ill child.
10. “Chitrangada” (Chitrangada)

• Year: 1914
• Bengali Title: চিত্রাঙ্গদা
• English Translation: Chitrangada
• Description: Another play inspired by the Mahabharata, exploring themes of identity, love, and self-realization.

1920s

11. “Ghare Baire” (The Home and the World)

• Year: 1916
• Bengali Title: ঘরে বাইরে
• English Translation: The Home and the World
• Description: A novel set against the backdrop of the Swadeshi movement, examining conflicting ideologies and personal relationships.

12. “Balaka” (The Flight of Cranes)

• Year: 1916
• Bengali Title: বালাকা
• English Translation: The Flight of Cranes
• Description: A poetry collection that celebrates freedom, movement, and the boundless human spirit.

13. “Shesher Kobita” (The Last Poem)

• Year: 1929
• Bengali Title: শেষের কবিতা
• English Translation: The Last Poem
• Description: A modern novel about love, art, and the complexities of relationships, written in a lyrical, poetic style.

1930s

14. “Jogajog” (Relationships)

• Year: 1931
• Bengali Title: যোগাযোগ
• English Translation: Relationships
• Description: A novel that addresses themes of social structure, family, and the constraints on women in a patriarchal society.

15. “Char Adhyay” (Four Chapters)

• Year: 1934
• Bengali Title: চার অধ্যায়
• English Translation: Four Chapters
• Description: A novel focused on revolution, idealism, and the personal sacrifices made for a greater cause, set in the context of the freedom movement.

1940s

16. “Rabindra Rachanabali” (Collected Works of Rabindranath Tagore)

• Year: First published in the 1940s
• Bengali Title: রবীন্দ্র রচনাবলী
• English Translation: Collected Works of Rabindranath Tagore
• Description: A comprehensive collection of Tagore’s works, including poetry, stories, novels, essays, and plays.

17. “Teen Poysar Pala” (Three Penny Opera)

• Year: 1941
• Bengali Title: তিন পয়সার পালা
• English Translation: Three Penny Opera
• Description: A Bengali adaptation of Bertolt Brecht’s The Threepenny Opera, focusing on social injustice and class struggles.

18. “Janmadin” (Birthday)

• Year: 1941
• Bengali Title: জন্মদিন
• English Translation: Birthday
• Description: A reflective piece written on his last birthday, marking his farewell to the world and reflecting on his life journey.

Rabindra Sangeet

Rabindranath Tagore, a prolific songwriter, composed over 2,000 songs, collectively known as Rabindra Sangeet. His lyrics span various themes, from love and devotion to nature and patriotism.

1. “Aji Bijan Ghare” (Today in My Lonely Home)

• Year: 1881
• Bengali Title: আজি বিজন ঘরে
• English Translation: Today in My Lonely Home
• Theme: A melancholic song reflecting solitude and yearning for companionship.

2. “Esho Shyamala Sundara” (Come, Dark and Beautiful One)

• Year: 1894
• Bengali Title: এসো শ্যামলা সুন্দর
• English Translation: Come, Dark and Beautiful One
• Theme: A devotional song invoking the divine in a form of beauty and grace.

3. “Ami Tomay Jato Shuniyechhinu Gaan” (As Many Songs I Have Sung for You)

• Year: 1895
• Bengali Title: আমি তোমায় যত শুনিয়েছিনু গান
• English Translation: As Many Songs I Have Sung for You
• Theme: A reflection on love and dedication, filled with longing and devotion.

4. “Ekla Cholo Re” (Walk Alone)

• Year: 1905
• Bengali Title: একলা চলো রে
• English Translation: Walk Alone
• Theme: Inspirational and patriotic, urging individuals to stay determined even if they have to go alone.

5. “Bhalo Koira Bajao Moner Bina” (Play the Veena of Your Heart Well)

• Year: 1907
• Bengali Title: ভালো কইরা বাজাও মনের বীণা
• English Translation: Play the Veena of Your Heart Well
• Theme: A spiritual song inviting introspection and self-harmony.

6. “Jodi Tor Dak Shune Keu Na Ashe” (If No One Responds to Your Call)

• Year: 1905
• Bengali Title: যদি তোর ডাক শুনে কেউ না আসে
• English Translation: If No One Responds to Your Call
• Theme: A song of resilience, encouraging one to persist even in solitude.

7. “Tomarei Koriachi Jiboner Dhrubo Tara” (You Are the Guiding Star of My Life)

• Year: 1914
• Bengali Title: তোমারেই করিয়াছি জীবনের ধ্রুবতারা
• English Translation: You Are the Guiding Star of My Life
• Theme: A devotional piece, recognizing the divine as the ultimate guide in life.

8. “Mor Bhabonare Ki Hawa” (What Breeze Has Stirred My Heart)

• Year: 1914
• Bengali Title: মোর ভাবনারে কি হাওয়া
• English Translation: What Breeze Has Stirred My Heart
• Theme: A song of love and emotion, exploring the subtle feelings that love brings.

9. “Amaro Porano Jaha Chay” (What My Heart Desires)

• Year: 1916
• Bengali Title: আমারো পরাণ যাহা চায়
• English Translation: What My Heart Desires
• Theme: A romantic song, reflecting the unspoken desires of the heart.

10. “Akash Bhora Surya Tara” (Sky Full of Sun and Stars)

• Year: 1925
• Bengali Title: আকাশ ভরা সূর্য তারা
• English Translation: Sky Full of Sun and Stars
• Theme: A joyful celebration of nature, highlighting its beauty and abundance.

11. “Pran Chay Chokkhu Na Chay” (The Soul Longs, Not the Eyes)

• Year: 1930
• Bengali Title: প্রাণ চায় চোখ না চায়
• English Translation: The Soul Longs, Not the Eyes
• Theme: A love song that emphasizes the depth of longing beyond physical beauty.

12. “Phule Phule Dhole Dhole” (In Blossoms and Soft Breeze)

• Year: 1932
• Bengali Title: ফুলে ফুলে ঢলে ঢলে
• English Translation: In Blossoms and Soft Breeze
• Theme: A song celebrating spring, symbolizing love and new beginnings.

13. “Purano Sei Diner Katha” (Memories of Days Gone By)

• Year: 1935
• Bengali Title: পুরানো সেই দিনের কথা
• English Translation: Memories of Days Gone By
• Theme: A nostalgic song about old friendships and memories, often sung to evoke unity.

14. “Alo Amar Alo Ogo” (Light, My Light)

• Year: 1938
• Bengali Title: আলো আমার আলো ওগো
• English Translation: Light, My Light
• Theme: Spiritual song praising the divine light that illuminates the soul.

15. “Tumi Robe Nirobe” (You Remain Silent Yet Ever-Present)

• Year: 1940
• Bengali Title: তুমি রবে নিরবে
• English Translation: You Remain Silent Yet Ever-Present
• Theme: A song of longing and divine presence, expressing a silent yet eternal connection.

16. “Tomar Khola Hawa” (Your Open Breeze)

• Year: 1940
• Bengali Title: তোমার খোলা হাওয়া
• English Translation: Your Open Breeze
• Theme: A joyful, nature-inspired song expressing freedom and a carefree spirit.

17. “Ami Tomar Sange Bedhechi Amar Pran” (I Have Bound My Soul with Yours)

• Year: 1941
• Bengali Title: আমি তোমার সঙ্গে বেঁধেছি আমার প্রাণ
• English Translation: I Have Bound My Soul with Yours
• Theme: A romantic song about eternal companionship and love’s profound bond.

18. “Aguner Parashmoni” (Touchstone of Fire)

• Year: 1941 (one of his last songs)
• Bengali Title: আগুনের পরশমণি
• English Translation: Touchstone of Fire
• Theme: A powerful, spiritual song asking for purity and transformation, invoking divine fire.

Rabindranath Tagore and Nobel Prize

Tagore was indeed the first person of Asian origin and non-European to win the Nobel Prize. His absolutely unique style that blended Indian philosophy with universal themes propounded a message to the world at large. The Nobel Prize did it; it breathed life into Indian literature on the world stage.

Tagore’s Contribution to Indian Music

Tagore was a good writer and an incredible musician, too. He wrote more than 2,000 songs called Rabindra Sangeet that are alive in modern India. His music is a mix of traditional Indian and folk traditions with the poetic value of his lyrics. In addition, Tagore also composed the national anthems of both India and Bangladesh—”Jana Gana Mana” and “Amar Shonar Bangla.“.

Tagore’s Role in Indian Nationalism

Views on Indian Independence

Though he was a great nationalist and staunch supporter of Indian nationalism, he had his own version of nationalism. He was not all a nationalist in the extreme sense, as his vision remained homogenized—that is, a world where disparate cultures could stay together in harmony.

Relationship with Mahatma Gandhi

Tagore was highly close to Mahatma Gandhi, though they differed politically on some of the things. Never did they compromise on each other’s ideology but respected each other. Tagore gave him the name Mahatma (Great Soul) and spiritually as well as intellectually inspired the independence movement.

Tagore’s Founding of Visva-Bharati University

In 1921, Tagore founded Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan, West Bengal. He had, in his mind, a vision for the university; he wanted such a place where education must not be confined to the boundaries of any specific area while retaining the philosophies of the spirit of the East and West. The grandeur that exists at the university today is more or less what Tagore had envisioned, which includes the ideal philosophy of whole-bodied education.

Travels and Global Influence

Tagore traveled all over Europe, Asia, and America, delivering lectures related to literature, philosophy, and education. He popularized Indian culture and philosophy worldwide through his travels. He also met other great intellectuals such as Albert Einstein and W.B. Yeats, who admired his work.

Tagore’s Philosophies and Ideas

Tagore believed in the unity of all cultures and the significance of spirituality in life. His work mainly exposed humanity, nature, and the relationship between the human being and the divine. He emphasized freedom of thought and creativity as well in education and society.

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Tagore’s Paintings and Art

Besides being a poet and a musician, Rabindranath Tagore was also a good painter. He started his painting when he was still very much in his later years; hence, his style became unique, as it had been inspired by his love of nature and, above all, the spirit. All his paintings can be seen in art galleries all over the world.

Awards and Honors

Rabindranath Tagore received several significant awards and recognitions during his lifetime, reflecting his literary and artistic contributions:

1. Nobel Prize in Literature (1913)

• Awarded by: The Swedish Academy
• Details: Tagore was the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. He won this prize for his book Gitanjali, or Song Offerings, which is full of rich spiritual and introspective poetry.

2. Knighthood (1915)

• Awarded by: British Empire
• Details: In 1915, the British government knighted Tagore in respect of his contributions towards literature. However, in protest over the Jallianwala Bagh massacre that took place in Amritsar in 1919, Tagore resigned his title. This was an expression of solidarity with the Indian independence movement and protest against British colonial rule.

3. Honorary Doctorates

• Tagore received several honorary doctorates from esteemed universities around the world, recognizing his impact on literature, philosophy, and art.
• Notable Institutions:
  • Oxford University (1940): Granted Tagore an honorary Doctor of Literature (D.Litt.) degree.
  • University of Calcutta
  • Dacca University (now Dhaka University, Bangladesh)

4. Freedom of the City of London (1930)

• Awarded by: City of London
• Details: Tagore was granted a Freedom of the City of London, which was in other words an honorary freedom status, and he emphasized how deeply he had an influence over the arts, making greater global understanding and linking divides within the East and the West.

Personal Life and Family

Tagore’s personal life was very busy with both happiness and sadness as well; he married Mrinalini Devi in 1883 and had five children. While throughout most of his life, his most sorrowful and contemplative works were enacted by loss-particularly of his wife, two of his children, and then his father in an extremely brief period of time within a few short years.

Rabindranath Tegore Famous Quotes

“Love is the only reality and it is not a mere sentiment. It is the ultimate truth that lies at the heart of creation.”
“Depth of friendship does not depend on length of acquaintance.”

“Beauty is truth’s smile when she beholds her own face in a perfect mirror.”

“To be outspoken is easy when you do not wait to speak the complete truth.”

“If you shut the door to all errors, truth will be shut out.”

Conclusion: Tagore’s Legacy

Irrespective of how impossible it sounds, Rabindranath Tagore’s impact upon the Indian culture and world literature is indefinable. Working as a poet, philosopher, and teacher all at once, his works till this day inspire and edify the masses worldwide. Still living today is his dream of building such a world where cultures pull closer and closer by art, spirituality, and education. The overall legacy he left behind, that is to say, the embodiment of the greatest literary power coupled with his humanitarian spirit, will surely inspire successive generations to come.

Rabindra Jayanti Celebration

Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti celebrates the birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, one of the giants of Indian poets, philosophers, and polymathicians. He was born on May 7, 1861; that is to say, on 25th Baishakh, 1268 in the Bengali calendar, at Kolkata. Tagore Jayanti is taken as a matter of great reverence, mainly in West Bengal and Bangladesh, where his contributions to literature, music, and art are particularly holied through cultural programs, poetry recitations, and Rabindra Sangeet performances (songs written by Tagore).

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