Rabindranath Tagore
- Born:
- 7 May 1861 (25th of Boishakh, 1268 Bengali Era), Jorasanko, Calcutta, British India
- Died:
- 7 August 1941 (22nd of Shravan, 1348 Bengali Era), Jorasanko, Calcutta, British India
- Nationality:
- Indian
- Profession(s):
- Poet, Writer, Playwright, Composer, Philosopher, Social Reformer, Painter
Early Life and Education
- Born into a prominent and wealthy Brahmo family.
- Largely self-educated; disliked formal schooling.
- Traveled to England in 1878 for formal schooling but returned without a degree.
- Began writing poetry at a young age.
Career and Major Achievements
- Published his first collection of poems at the age of 16.
- Founded Visva-Bharati University in 1921, promoting Eastern and Western cultures.
- Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for Gitanjali.
- Knighted in 1915, but renounced it in 1919 in protest of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
- Traveled extensively, lecturing and promoting his philosophical and social ideals.
Notable Works
- Poetry: Gitanjali, Sonar Tori, Balaka, Purabi
- Novels: Ghare Baire, Gora, Jogajog, Chokher Bali
- Short Stories: Kabuliwala, The Postmaster, Streer Patra
- Plays: Chitra, Dak Ghar, Raktakarabi
- Songs: Composed over 2,230 songs, known as Rabindra Sangeet.
- He explored aspects of his life in prose and poetry, including works which might be seen as a form of preliminary drafting towards a future rabindranath autobiography in bengali.
Legacy and Impact
Rabindranath Tagore was a pivotal figure in Bengali and Indian literature and culture. His works explored themes of spirituality, humanism, and social justice. He is considered one of the greatest poets and writers of modern India, and his influence extends beyond literature into philosophy, education, and music. His songs are an integral part of Bengali culture.