Rabindranath Tagore Biography Part-II
 |
Rabindranath Tagore
|
The
talented writer who made India proud by becoming the first Indian to win the
Nobel Prize in literature was also the first non-European to win the
prestigious award. Born on 7th May 1861 into a Bengali family in
Kolkata, the writer dazzled the world with his brilliant writings and spiritual
insights. He composed India’s stirring national anthem and is well-loved even
after 150 years of his birth. Also known by the sobriquet (nickname) Gurudev,
the versatile genius being discussed is none other than Rabindranath Tagore.
The
grandmaster of Bengali culture and a towering figure of Indian literature,
Tagore was a poet, visual artist, novelist, musician, playwright, educator,
philosopher and a social reformer. Although he wrote successfully in all
literary genres, he was first of all a poet.
 |
Rabindranath Tagore
|
Tagore
came to the attention of the world almost a hundred years ago when he reached
London with Gitanjali, an English translation of some of his poems originally
written in Bengali. Talking about the charms of Gitanjali, Yeats wrote in the
preface: “these prose translations from Rabindranath Tagore have stirred my
blood as nothing has for years.”
Yeats’
enthusiasm was echoed by the Nobel committee who presented Tagore with the
Noble Prize in literature for “his profoundly sensitive, fresh and beautiful
verse.”
The
enthusiastic admiration Gitanjali received upon publication in March 1913 is
evident in the fact that it was reprinted ten times by November 1913, when the
award was announced.
 |
| Rabindranath Tagore |
Some
of the notable volumes of his poetry are Manasi, Sonar Tari, Gitanjali,
Gitimalya and Balaka. His major plays are Raja, Dakghar, Achalayatan,
Muktadhara and Raktakaravi.
He
also authored several volumes of short stories, novels, musical dramas, dance
dramas, essays, travel diaries and two autobiographies.
He
wrote over 2,000 songs belonging to a genre now well-known as Rabindrasangeet.
A visual artist of the first order, Tagore composed numerous drawings and
paintings.
 |
Rabindranath Tagore
|
Proclaimed
as the greatest poet India has ever produced, Tagore was perhaps the only
litterateur who penned anthems of two countries—Jana Gana Mana for India and
Amar Sonar Bangla for Bangladesh.
Through
the powerfully evocative lyrics of our national anthem and his other fine
compositions, Tagore continues to inspire and guide a billion Indian hearts.
In
a fitting tribute to this great poet and patriot many institutes across India
and the world commemorated the 150th birth anniversary of
Rabindranath Tagore in May 2011.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments
(
Atom
)
Post a Comment