I grew up hearing the name Rabindranath Tagore uttered with deep admiration and respect. To the people of India, he is Gurudev – the venerated teacher and guiding light. But, Mr. Tagore also represents the pinnacle of artistic achievement.
With a poet’s keen eye, he saw beauty in the mundane and the magnificent alike. His words remind us that poetry is not locked in the confines of a book but overflows in each sunrise and sunset. Mr. Tagore saw what most miss in their hurried lives – the poetry that is life itself.
Mr. Tagore’s genius spanned multiple spheres of creativity. He was an extraordinary polymath; a poet, novelist, painter, composer, philosopher, and social reformer rolled into one.
Born on 7 May 1861, he was the first non-European to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913, for his collection of poems called Gitanjali, or Song Offerings. Mr. Tagore also gave voice to India’s identity through the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, which he wrote. Furthermore, he founded Visva-Bharati University to spread knowledge and empower minds. Though born privileged, he chose to spend his life serving others.
Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti is observed with various cultural programmes, seminars, exhibitions, and tributes to honour his memory and commemorate his life and his work.
On this hallowed day of remembrance, I am grateful Mr. Tagore walked this earth and shared his gifts with us. His words are a lifelong companion, teaching us about love, life, and the human spirit. Though decades have passed since his pen stilled, his verses live on, as timeless as the sunrise he so often wrote about.
As I pen down my thoughts on Mr. Tagore today, I hope we can all draw inspiration from his life story and engage deeply with his body of work. May the wisdom and ideals that Mr. Tagore stood for, guide our lives ahead. As he once wrote, “Let me not pray to be sheltered from dangers but to be fearless in facing them….let me strive every moment of my life to make myself better and better.”
What an amazing legacy Mr. Tagore has left behind! I feel so blessed that I get to celebrate his birthday each year and reflect on his profound impact, not only in India but also around the world.