Context:
Recently, Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti was celebrated to mark the 163rd birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore.
Background:
- Rabindranath Tagore was born on May 7, 1861, in Kolkata to Debendranath Tagore and Sarada Devi.
- He was also known as ‘Gurudev’, ‘Kabiguru’, and ‘Biswakabi’ and is celebrated for his contributions to literature, music, and art.
- Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti, also known as Poncheeshe Boishakh in Kolkata is celebrated on May 7th or 8th (depending on the Bengali calendar) to mark the birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941).
Rabindranath Tagore
- Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941) was a polymath: poet, novelist, composer, essayist, educator, and social reformer.
- He is the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature (1913) for his collection of poems, Gitanjali (Song Offerings).
- He was also conferred the title of ‘Knight Bachelor’ by the British Raj in 1915, which he renounced in 1919 in protest against the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
Contributions:
Literary Accolades:
- National Anthems: Composed Jana Gana Mana, India’s national anthem, and Amar Sonar Bangla, which was later adopted as Bangladesh’s national anthem. His work also inspired Sri Lanka’s national anthem.
Music:
- Composed over 2,000 songs (Rabindra Sangeet) that are cherished across Bengal and beyond.
- His music combined elements of Indian classical and Western traditions, creating a unique style.
Social and Political Stance:
- Knighthood Renouncement: Knighted in 1915 but renounced the title in 1919 as a protest against the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. This act highlighted his commitment to social justice.
- Criticized social evils like caste discrimination and advocated for women’s empowerment.
Educational Legacy:
- Visva-Bharati University: Founded Shantiniketan, which later became Visva-Bharati University, a renowned institution promoting holistic education and cultural exchange.
- Recently, the Shantiniketan (Visva-Bharati University) received UNESCO’s World heritage site tag.
Literary Contributions:
Poetry:
- Gitanjali
- Sonar Tari (Golden Boat)
- Manasi (The Ideal One)
- Plays: Chitra (The Painting of Rememberence), The Post Office
- Novels and Short Stories: Pioneered the short story form in Bengali literature.
- Novels: Chokher Bali (Binodini’s Eyes), Gora (Fair-Faced)
- Short Stories: The Hungry Stones and Other Stories, The Glimpses of Bengal Life