Life and achievements
Early life
Rabindranath Tagore was born on 7 May 1861 in Calcutta. He was the youngest of thirteen children in the Tagore family. His father, Debendranath Tagore, was a well-known leader of Brahmo Samaj, a Hindu reform movement. Tagore's early education was somewhat nontraditional; he was homeschooled and did not like formal schooling, which he later discussed in his educational views. He chose the vastness of his family's property to develop his interest in the natural environment and reading.
It is imperative to note that Tagore was a child prodigy in poetry writing. He began to write his first major poems under the pen name Bhānusiṃha at sixteen. These early works were received as lost treasures by the critics in the field of literature. Although he was a literary man, his father wanted him to study law and become a barrister; thus, he was sent to England in 1878. Nevertheless, Tagore was more inclined towards literature and arts and, therefore, dropped out of law and returned to India without completing his degree.
After his return, he plunged into Calcutta's cultural and academic life. He began to write a lot and produced poetry, short stories, and plays. The author's first works, noted for their lyricism and philosophical content, brought him recognition and made him one of the most influential writers of the period. Tagore's travel experiences in India and other countries enriched his works and ideas, making him a global thinker with a focus on the whole person.
Tagore led a happy life but also faced some miseries in his personal life. He married Mrinalini Devi in 1883, and the couple was blessed with five children. But the early death of his wife and two of his children took a toll on him. Nevertheless, the misfortune did not stop Tagore from creating and experimenting, translating his feelings into art and literature. His happy and unhappy childhood influenced his artistic and philosophical perception of the world, which formed the basis for his further works.
Legacy
Rabindranath Tagore is a versatile Bengali personality who has significantly contributed to literature, music, art, education, and social welfare. He is most famous for his poetry, especially the "Gitanjali," a collection of spiritual and lyrical poems that won him the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913. His novels, short stories, plays, and essays have contributed significantly to Bengali literature and are read by people across the globe.
Tagore was also a great composer and contributed to music in many ways. He wrote approximately 2,230 songs, which are called Rabindra Sangeet. These songs are an essential part of Bengal and its culture and are sung today. His songs are marked by their powerful and poetic lyrics and can express emanations, such as emanations and situations in human life, from devotion to nationalism. Some of his most famous works include the national anthems of India—"Jana Gana Mana"—and Bangladesh—"Amar Shonar Bangla."
In education, Tagore's dream was to create a new kind of institution, which he founded in 1921 as the Visva-Bharati University at Santiniketan. He saw it as a world-class institution of learning that would bridge the physical and cultural divides of the world, with an emphasis on imagination, communication, and the harmonious coexistence of people. Tagore's educational ideas, which emphasized learning by doing and the all-round development of the child, have been adopted in many educational systems across the globe.
Tagore was also a social reformer and a man who never hesitated to voice his opinions against British colonialism. His works and discourses were on freedom, human rights, and social justice, among other topics. He relinquished his title of knighthood in 1919 because of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and supported India's freedom and against colonial rule. His fight for social and political change remains influential in the Indian freedom struggle and the fight for justice.
Tagore's influence, however, is not only confined to literature but extends to the visual arts. He started painting in his later years but created a large number of pieces that are indicative of his distinct style. His artworks are displayed in the most famous galleries across the globe, which only contributes to his status as a versatile genius and a celebrity. This is because the memory and legacy of Tagore is celebrated to this day both in India and internationally as a creative genius, a thinker, and a man of principles.
Milestone moments
May 19, 1878
The University College London in details
Rabindranath Tagore was admitted to University College London to study law.
His father wanted him to become a barrister, which would have made him the fourth generation of the family to enter public service.
Tagore, however, was more inclined towards literature and arts than other fields.
While living in England, he got into English, Irish, and Scottish folk music.
He also read Shakespeare; his favorite plays were Coriolanus, Antony, and Cleopatra.
However, his father wished for him to complete his studies and return to India with a degree, but Tagore left and returned to India without a degree.
Feb 19, 1913
Nobel Prize in Literature
The poem collection of Rabindranath Tagore, "Gitanjali," meaning "Song Offerings," was translated into English.
The literary critics highly applauded the collection.
Tagore received the Nobel Prize in Literature in November 1913.
He was the first non-European to get this Nobel Prize in this category.
The Swedish Academy noted that the author's works are romantic and understandable.
This recognition made people all over the world recognize Tagore's writing talent.
Nov 19, 1915
Knighted by King George V
George V knighted Rabindranath Tagore.
This honor was for his contribution to literature and arts.
Nevertheless, Tagore's views on British imperialism mostly stayed the same.
He remained a freedom fighter and a social reformer till the end of his life.
It was a sign of his recognition and respect on the international level that he was knighted.
Tagore's interaction with the British was somewhat ambiguous and could be contradictory.
Oct 17, 1919
Renunciation of Knighthood
Tagore returned his knighthood in protest against the Jalianwalla Bagh tragedy.
The massacre was conducted by British soldiers in which hundreds of innocent Indian civilians were murdered.
Tagore wrote his protest in his letter to Lord Chelmsford, the British Viceroy.
He described the actions of the British government as inhuman and dishonorable.
This renunciation was a bold gesture of identification with the Indian people.
This protest showed that Tagore was for justice and human rights.