Rabindranath Tagore | essay writing.

Introduction.

Rabindranath Tagore was a great writer, poet, painter, playwright and naturalist. He was also an advocate of independence for India. He won Nobel Prize for literature in 1913, for his book Gitanjali. He was the first Asian Nobel Laureate writer.

His Early Life

He was born in 1861 in Calcutta (now Kolkata) in a wealthy and renowned Brahmin family. He was the youngest son of Devendranath Tagore and grandson of Dwarkanath Tagore. His father was a religious reformer and leader of the Brahma Samaj.

His Early education.

Rabindranath Tagore was mostly educated at home by the private tutors. When he was 12 years old, his first poem was published. At the age of 17 he was sent to Britain for formal education. But the limitless curiosity to know the world could be satisfied by the formal education given by the school.

Since he had early success as a writer in his native Bengal. He translated his books and became the voice of Indian spiritual heritage in the west and became the great living institution.

Family life.

Tagore married Mrinalini Devi and had two sons and three daughters. In addition to his literary activities, he managed the family estates in Shilaidaha, Bangladesh.

Tagore’s works.

His well-known poetic works are Sonar Tori, Sandhya sangeet, Balaka, Kanika, etc. His famous novels are Gora, Chokher Bali and Jiban Smriti was his autobiography.

His most memorable plays are Bisarjan, Dak Ghar. Tagore’s most popular stories are Kabuliwala, and his songs known as Rabindra Sangeet are considered to be an integral part of Bengal and Indian music and culture.

His examplary writings.

By 1890, he entered a new phase of writing, which included his strong stand on controversial, political and social issues.

His writings inspired Indians and abroad. Tagore composed the national anthem of India jana gana mana and it was first sung at Calcutta Congress session 1911.

During Swadeshi movement in 1905 his patriotic songs were sung to spread the sense of common belonging and promote nationalism in India. Tagore’s Amar Sonar Bangla became the national anthem of Bangladesh. Moreover, the lyrics of Sri Lanka’s national anthem was written by Tagore.

Won Nobel prize and knighthood.

Tagore’s works have been translated into many languages. His book Gitanjali ( collection of poems) which was translated by him in English, earned him the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913. In 1915, he was awarded knighthood by the british, which he renounced in 1919 as a mark of protest against the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

Introduced new form of arts , paintings and schooling.

He also took up painting. His painting was vivid and exceptional that they won him a place among india’s famous contemporary artists.

In 1901, he established a different type of school at Shantiniketan, where he tried his Upnishadic ideals of education. In 1921, his scool became the Vishva-Bharati University. His education marked a great blending of the ideas of the east and west.

A Great Humanist.

He passed away in 1941 leaving behind a legacy of world class literature. His great literary contribution is universally recognized. Even though he is not amidst us, his presence can be felt through his vast works. He will always be remembered as the source of inspiration of noble thought and great idea of humanity.