Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941) was a renowned Indian poet, philosopher, and polymath. He became the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for his work “Gitanjali”. Tagore’s contributions to literature, music, and art made him a global cultural icon.
Biography
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Rabindranath Tagore |
| Pronunciation | [roˈbindɾonatʰ ˈʈʰakuɾ] |
| Birth Date | 7 May 1861 |
| Death Date | 7 August 1941 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Profession | Poet, Writer, Playwright, Composer, Philosopher, Social Reformer, Painter |
| Major Contributions | Reshaped Bengali literature and music, Contextual Modernism, Founded Visva-Bharati University |
| Nobel Prize | First non-European and first lyricist to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 |
| Best-known Works | Gitanjali (Song Offerings), Gora (Fair-Faced), Ghare-Baire (The Home and the World) |
| National Anthems | India’s “Jana Gana Mana”, Bangladesh’s “Amar Shonar Bangla”, Inspiration for Sri Lankan national anthem |
| State Anthem | “Banglar Mati Banglar Jol” (West Bengal) |
| Sobriquets | “The Bard of Bengal”, Gurudeb, Kobiguru, Biswokobi |
| Early Life |
|
| Philosophy | Humanist, Universalist, Internationalist, Critic of Nationalism |
| Arts | Modernized Bengali art, produced paintings, sketches, doodles, and thousands of songs |
Early Life
Rabindranath Tagore, a towering figure in the world of literature and the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, was born on May 7, 1861, in the bustling cultural hub of Calcutta (now Kolkata), India. Raised in a prominent Bengali family, Tagore was the youngest of thirteen surviving children. His family was deeply involved in the cultural and intellectual renaissance of Bengal, which had a profound influence on his upbringing. Despite the conventional education system, Tagore found solace in the lap of nature and the serene environment of the family estate in Santiniketan, where he later established the Visva-Bharati University. His early years were marked by a blend of traditional Indian culture and the progressive ideas brought in by the Western world, providing him with a rich and diverse foundation that would later reflect in his multifaceted works.
Family
| Name | Relation | Information |
|---|---|---|
| Debendranath Tagore | Father | Debendranath Tagore was a prominent philosopher and religious reformer. He was one of the founders of the Brahmo Samaj, which aimed to reform Hindu society. |
| Sarada Devi | Mother | Sarada Devi was a devoted homemaker and played a crucial role in the upbringing of her children in a spiritual and nurturing environment. |
| Dwarkanath Tagore | Brother | Dwarkanath Tagore was a successful entrepreneur and a key figure in the Bengal Renaissance. He was known for his progressive views and contributions to society. |
| Satyendranath Tagore | Brother | Satyendranath Tagore was the first Indian to join the Indian Civil Service. He was also a writer and a keen promoter of women’s education. |
| Jyotirindranath Tagore | Brother | Jyotirindranath Tagore was a playwright, musician, and painter. He played a significant role in nurturing Rabindranath’s literary talents. |
| Swarnakumari Devi | Sister | Swarnakumari Devi was a noted writer and social worker. She was one of the first women in Bengal to gain recognition in the literary world. |
Height, Weight, And Other Body Measurements
| Attribute | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Height | Unknown |
| Weight | Unknown |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Hair Color | Grey/White (in his later years) |
Please note that specific details about Rabindranath Tagore’s height, weight, and other body measurements are not widely documented.
Wife/husband / Girlfriend/boyfriend
Rabindranath Tagore was married to Mrinalini Devi. They got married on December 9, 1883. Mrinalini Devi was a supportive partner and played a significant role in Tagore’s personal life. She was born as Bhabatarini but was later renamed Mrinalini by Tagore himself. Together, they had five children.
There is no documented evidence suggesting that Rabindranath Tagore had any other wives or romantic relationships before or after his marriage to Mrinalini Devi.
Summary
Rabindranath Tagore’s marital life was centered around his wife, Mrinalini Devi. Their relationship was marked by mutual respect and support, and they had a family of five children together.
Career, Achievements And Controversies
Rabindranath Tagore became famous primarily due to his significant contributions to literature, music, and art. He was the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913, which brought him international acclaim. His works, which include poetry, short stories, novels, plays, and essays, have been translated into many languages, making his literary genius known worldwide.
Rabindranath Tagore’s career started at a young age when he began writing poetry. He published his first collection of poems, “Kabi Kahini,” at the age of 16. Over his lifetime, he wrote extensively in various genres:
- Poetry: “Gitanjali,” “Gitanjali (Song Offerings),” “Balaka”
- Novels: “Gora,” “Ghare-Baire (The Home and the World),” “Chokher Bali”
- Plays: “Dak Ghar (The Post Office),” “Raktakarabi (Red Oleanders)”
- Short Stories: “Galpaguchchha,” a collection of 84 stories
- Essays: Numerous essays on various topics including nationalism, religion, and education
- Music: He composed over 2000 songs, known as Rabindra Sangeet, which remain popular in Bengal and beyond.
- Nobel Prize in Literature (1913): For his collection of poems, “Gitanjali.”
- Knighthood (1915): He was knighted by the British Crown, which he later renounced in protest of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919.
- Founding of Visva-Bharati University (1921): Tagore founded this university with a vision for a holistic education system that would blend Eastern and Western philosophies.
Rabindranath Tagore’s life was not without controversies:
- Renunciation of Knighthood: Tagore’s decision to renounce his knighthood in protest of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre was seen as a significant political statement against British colonial rule.
- Nationalism vs. Humanism: Tagore’s views on nationalism were controversial. He criticized extreme nationalism and advocated for a more humanistic approach, which sometimes put him at odds with other Indian leaders during the independence movement.
- Criticism of His Literary Works: While Tagore’s works were celebrated globally, they also faced criticism from some quarters in India. Some felt his works were too elitist and not sufficiently focused on the struggles of the common people.
- Educational Reforms: His ideas on education and the establishment of Visva-Bharati University also faced skepticism and resistance from more traditional educational institutions and thinkers.
