Rabindranath Tagore Biography with Some Unknown Information

Rabindranath Tagore is the greatest writer of all time in Indian literature. He is the world poet. Again, though he says, “I have only one identity. He is nothing more. I'm just a poet. " But Rabindranath Tagore was a great scholar, novelist, essayist, lyricist and playwright. His inspirational words still lead people today.

In all branches of literature, his equivalent talent is matched. Every one of his compositions is significant. That is why all the poems and songs written by Bengali's favourite "Rabithakur" still haunt every Bengali. As each stage of his life changed with his philosophy and his poems. Therefore, Rabindranath's fame as a writer can be seen only in the context of his whole life.

He acquired skills in world literature, culture, civilization, philosophy and knowledge through continuous study and endless experimentation. As a result, he can develop the content of his art and seamlessly.

Early Life And Childhood Days Of Rabindranath Tagore :

Rabindranath Tagore was born on 7 May 1861 (25 Baishakh, 128 in the Bengali calendar) in the rich and culturally rich Tagore family in Jorasanko, Calcutta. His grandfathers were Prince Dwarkanath Tagore and his father Maharshi Debendranath Tagore. His ancestors migrated from East Bengal to Calcutta for the sake of their business.

Dwarkanath Tagore's efforts in Calcutta increased the wealth of the family as well as the ownership of the land. Raja Rammohun Rai was a close friend of Dwarkanath. So Rammohun's ideology had a profound effect on Dwarkanath, his son Debendranath and his grandson Rabindranath Tagore. Rabindranath was the youngest of Debendranath Tagore's 14 children.

Rabindranath's eldest brother Dwijendranath Tagore was a philosopher and poet. Another brother Satyendranath Tagore was the first Indian member of the ICS. Yet another brother Jyotirindranath Tagore was a composer and playwright. Among her sisters, the Golden Virgin Goddess gained a reputation as a prophetess. The Tagore family home is decorated with musical, literary and theatrical activities.

Education Of Rabindranath Tagore :

Rabindranath's formal education began at the Oriental Seminary in Calcutta. After that for a few years he studied in the normal school established by Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. He then went to St. Xavier's Collegiate School. But as a student he was irregular and could not continue his studies here. However, he continued his studies at home.

A notable event in his life during this period was a trip to the Himalayas with his father (in 1873). On the way, the father and son spent some time in Santiniketan. This is the first time that Rabindranath will leave the city and experience the open expanse of nature. On this trip, Rabindranath was able to become close with his father - an important event in the life of the poet. His father's unique personality overwhelmed Rabindranath.

Read More: Dr. APJ Abul Kalam Azad Biography

Debendranath taught Sanskrit to his son in his isolated abode in the Himalayas. In the evening he used to give various lessons about the planets in the sky. In this way, Devendranath was able to transmit his love of nature and creation to the young Rabindranath. When Rabindranath returned from the Himalayas, he felt that he had left his childhood behind. From this time onwards his studies and literary studies went beyond the confines of the educational institution.

Sanskrit, English literature, physics, mathematics, history, geography, natural sciences, etc. continue to be taught through tutors. He also learned drawing, music and gymnastics. Although he stopped going to school, he continued to study literature. Rabindranath Agrahayan published his first poem 'Abhilasha' in Tattvabodhini (1874). Seeing Rabindranath's contempt for the Bengali education system, Satyendranath proposed to Debendranath to send his brother to England to become a barrister.

And in 1878 Rabindranath traveled to England with his brother. He first attended a public school in Brighton. He later enrolled at University College London. However, he did not finish his studies here and left England a year later. However, during his stay in England, he noticed the culture of this country in a good way, as evidenced by his letter to a European expatriate (1881). His keen interest in music compelled him to study publications in England.

Marriage Of Rabindranath Tagore :

After returning to the country from England, finally on December 9, 1883, Rabindranath married the goddess Raychowdhury of Bhavatarini, the daughter of Benimadhab Raychowdhury of Khulna. At the time of marriage, Bhavatarini was renamed as Mrinalini Devi according to the custom of Thakur's house. Later, they had five children: three daughters, Madhurilta, Renuka and Meera and two sons, Rathindranath and Samindranath.

Soon after his marriage, Rabindranath was entrusted with the care of his father's vast lands. One of his tasks at that time was to work as the secretary of the original Brahmo Samaj founded by his father. At this time, the Brahmo Samaj was going through an uncertainty and internal strife. He assigned the responsibility of overseeing the religious movement to the young Rabindranath.

Career Of Rabindranath Tagore :

Dada Jyotirindranath Tagore and Baudi Kadambari Devi contributed a lot in developing his poetic talent. In 1877, at the age of 16, Rabindranath published some important works in Bharati. These were Vanusingh Tagore's verses, a critique of Meghnadabadh's poetry and two beautiful short stories called Bhikharini and Karuna. Of these, Vanusingh Tagore's verses were the most popular Rabindranath's most well-known book is Gitanjali, for which he gained immense popularity all over the world. He also won the Nobel Prize in 1913 for this book of poetry.

He was a talented writer whose contribution led to the proliferation of Bengali essays, compositions, poems and short stories. Through these literary works, one can get a clear idea about the society, politics, religion, literature, history, linguistics, rhythm, music, etc. of that time.

Achievements And Awards Of Rabindranath Tagore :

• Rabindranath Tagore won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913. And Rabindranath Tagore was the first Indian to receive the Nobel Prize.
• In 1915, the British conferred the title of Knight on Rabindranath Tagore. However, after the Jallianwala Bagh incident, Rabindranath Tagore refused to retain the night title in 1919 in protest of terrorism.
• In 1930, many paintings by Rabindranath Tagore were exhibited in Paris and London. Later in 1930, Rabindranath Tagore wrote Oxford while in Birmingham. 
• In 1940, Thakur was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Oxford. Rabindranath Tagore was the co-founder of Dartington Hall School in Japan. 
• When a stamp was issued in the name of Rabindranath Tagore, on 7 May 1961, the Indian Postal Department paid homage to Rabindranath Tagore.

Rabindranath Tagore’s World Tour :

Rabindranath Tagore traveled to more than 30 countries on 5 continents between 1878 and 1933, making a total of 12 world trips. He visited England twice in his life (1878 and 1890). And in 1912, for the third time in England for personal treatment. At that time he met some English poets and intellectuals like Yate. Who were fascinated by Gitanjali's poems in English.

Not only that, Yates himself wrote the introduction to the English translation of the poem. During this visit, Rabindranath met "Deenbandhu" Charles Fryer Andrews. In 1913 he was awarded the Nobel Prize by the Swedish Academy. In 1916-17, Rabindranath Tagore went to Japan and the United States.

Between 1920-21, the poet again traveled to Europe and the United States. During this visit he was honored in Western countries. Rabindranath went to China in 1924, and later to Japan. He fell ill in Argentina in late 1924. In 1926, Tagore visited Italy at the invitation of Benito Mussolini.

Political Views Of Rabindranath Tagore :

Although Rabindranath was never actively involved in politics, he never separated himself from the current situation. On the contrary, he was unique in his approach to nationalism. He inaugurated the meeting of the Congress party held in Calcutta in 1896 by singing 'Bande Mataram' in his own tune.

Inspired by the Shivaji Utsav introduced by Balgangadhar Tilak of Maharashtra, he composed his celebrated piece ‘Shivaji Utsav’ at this time. He commented on many contemporary political situations in his contribution to Sadhana, Bangadarshan and Bharati. During the anti-partition movement in 1905, he strongly opposed the partition of Bengal.

In an article published in Bangadarshan, he strongly expressed his views on the issue. This was the time when Rabindranath composed many of his well-known patriotic songs. Two of them were chosen as the national anthems of Bangladesh and India. In his famous essay ‘Swadeshi Samaj’ (Bhadra 1311/1904) he outlined a program aimed at making the country and the people self-reliant. In it, he discusses various issues related to rural restructuring, mass education, community ownership, cooperative movement and other social welfare projects.

Facts You Did Not Know About Rabindranath Tagore :

• Rabindranath Tagore wrote his first poem at the age of 6!
• Tagore composed the national anthems of India and Bangladesh.
• The national anthem of Sri Lanka was originally composed in 1938 based on a Bengali song written by Tagore. 
• He composed more than 2,000 songs.
• Rabindranath started drawing at the age of 60.
• He traveled to more than 30 countries.
• He had a close relationship with the world-famous German scientist Albert Einstein, and the two praised each other after winning the Nobel Prize at the time.

Death Of Rabindranath Tagore :

On September 10, 1937, Rabindranath Tagore was suddenly knocked unconscious by an attack on Erysipelas. He was 75 years old. Since he lived in Santiniketan, there was no telephone in rural Bengal, he was in a coma for sixty hours before the medical team came from Calcutta and he started responding to treatment after the treatment started. 

On September 15, when he felt a little healthy, the first thing he did was ask for a brush and paint and he drew a landscape on a piece of plywood. From then on, Rabindranath was often ill. Once again in 1940 he became seriously ill. He was so weak then that he could not win with death. He finally breathed his last on August 7, 1981 (at the age of 70) at Jorasanko's residence.