May 08,2023
By Sonakshi Kandhari
Rabindranath Tagore’s invaluable contributions to Indian literature, has lived on in succeeding generations with his works. As yet another birth anniversary approaches, we cannot help but marvel at his greatness. His achievements are known by all but there are many lesser-known details of this ‘Bard of Bengal’ that will amaze you.
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He began his literary journey when he wrote a poem at age 8. When he was 16, his first set of poetry was published under the name "Bhanusimha," which means Sun Lion. After this, he eventually published short stories and plays in the same year under his actual name.
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India’s ‘Jana Gana Mana’ and Bengal’s ‘Amar Sona Bangla’ were composed by Rabindranath Tagore. Besides this, the National Anthem of Sri Lanka, ‘Sri Lanka Matha," was written by Ananda Samarakoon, a disciple of Ranbindranath Tagore
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Age cannot come in the way of learning; Rabindranath Tagore best exemplified this by taking on painting at the age of 60. He suffered from a condition called protanopia, as a result of which he could not see red and green. Because of this, his paintings depicted a striking interpretation of these colours.
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His love for travelling began with his visit to London, where he studied Shakespeare’s works. After this, he went on to cover 30 countries, and during his travels, he encountered many eminent personalities such as Benito Mussolini, the Shah of Iran, and writers of all types.
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The Visva Bharati University in Shantiniketan, West Bengal, was so named because it means ‘the communion of the world with India.' It is contrary to traditional classroom teaching and is an institution of national importance.Till date, some lectures are conducted under the shade of trees.
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Rabindranath Tagore enjoyed a close friendship with both Albert Einstein and Mahatma Gandhi. As a mark of respect, he was the first person to affix the title of Mahatma to his name, which lives on.
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His immaculate penmanship made him the first Indian to win the Nobel Prize for Literature. With his prize earnings, he went on to lay the foundation for Vishva Bharati University in Shantiniketan. Education and literature in India are what they are today because of him.
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