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Rabindranath Tagore

Rabindranath Tagore was a Bengali poet, novelist and painter best known for being the first non-European to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913 with his book Gitanjali, Song Offerings . He was highly influential in introducing Indian culture to the West and is generally regarded as the outstanding creative artist of modern India. He was hailed by W.B Yeats and André Gide.

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• Article Title: Rabindranath Tagore Biography
• Author: Biography.com Editors
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• Last Updated: June 24, 2021
• Original Published Date: April 2, 2014

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Rabindranath Tagore

Poet, writer and humanitarian, Rabindranath Tagore was the first Indian to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature and he played a key role in the renaissance of modern India. Tagore is most widely known for his poetry, but he was also an accomplished author of novels, short stories, plays and articles. He took an active interest in a widespread range of social, cultural and artistic endeavours. He has been described as one of the first Twentieth Century’s global man.

“So I repeat we never can have a true view of man unless we have a love for him. Civilisation must be judged and prized, not by the amount of power it has developed, but by how much it has evolved and given expression to, by its laws and institutions, the love of humanity.”

— Sadhana: The Realisation of Life, (1916)

Short Biography Rabindranath Tagore

Rabindranath began writing from an early age and impressed with his free-flowing style and spontaneous compositions. He mostly rejected formal schooling; he spent much time being taught at home. In 1878 he travelled to England and sought to study law at University College, London, but he left before finishing the degree.

After returning to India, in 1901, Tagore moved to Shantiniketan to found an ashram which became his focal point for writing and his view on schooling. He chose the name for the ashram – Shantiniketan meaning ‘Abode of Peace.’

“Love is the ultimate meaning of everything around us. It is not a mere sentiment; it is truth; it is the joy that is at the root of all creation.”

– Tagore, Sādhanā : The Realisation of Life (1916)

Friendship with Gandhi

Tagore was firm friends with Gandhi and admired him very much. But, despite this friendship, he could be critical of his views. For example, he disagreed with Gandhi’s views on Swaraj protests and upbraided Gandhi when Gandhi claimed an earthquake was ‘divine retribution for the mistreatment of Dalits in India.’ Yet despite the frequent divergence of opinions, they could admire each other. When Gandhi went on a fast unto death, it was Tagor who was able to persuade Gandhi to give up his fast and look after his health.

Nobel Prize for Literature 1913

In 1913, Tagore was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature for his work ‘ Gitanjali ‘ This made his writings internationally known and his fame spread throughout the world.

“My debts are large, my failures great, my shame secret and heavy; yet I come to ask for my good, I quake in fear lest my prayer be granted.” – Gitanjali

Rabindranath Tagore with Einstein

This gave Tagore the opportunity to travel extensively giving lectures and recitals in many different countries. He also became acquainted with many of the leading cultural contemporaries of the day; this included W.B.Yeats, George Bernard Shaw , Romain Rolland, Robert Frost and Albert Einstein .

Tagore had a great love for nature and many of his poems invoke the simple beauties of the natural world. For Tagore, his religion could be found in the wonders and mysteries of nature – as much as in temples and sacred books.

Tagore was a prolific composer of music. He composed over 2,000 songs which have been popularised and sung widely across Bengal. Like his literature, he broke away from classical constraints to offer a great emotive and spiritual appeal. Tagore is unique for being the official composer for the national anthem of two countries – India’s Jana Gana Mana and Bangladesh’s Amar Shonar Bangla .

Tagore was an opponent of British imperialism, though he also felt Indians had a duty to improve their self-education; he said that British rule was partly due to the state India had fallen into. In particular, he was very denigrating about India’s obsession with caste.

‘the ultimate truth in man is not in his intellect or his possessions; it is in his illumination of mind, in his extension of sympathy across all barriers of caste and colour, in his recognition of the world, not merely as a storehouse of power, but as a habitation of man’s spirit, with its eternal music of beauty and its inner light of the divine presence.’ – Tagore, The Poet’s Religion’ in Creative Unity (1922) [ 1 ]

In 1919, Tagore returned his knighthood in protest at the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, in which many peaceful Indian protesters were killed.

Tagore was a polymath, and towards the end of his life he took up art and also pursued an interest in science. Tagore was also very much an internationalist, criticising nationalism, though also writing songs and articles in support of the general principle of the Indian independence movement.

“Patriotism cannot be our final spiritual shelter; my refuge is humanity. I will not buy glass for the price of diamonds, and I will never allow patriotism to triumph over humanity as long as I live. “

– Rabindranath Tagore

Tagore view on Religion

Tagore had mixed views on religion. He was brought up in a traditional Hindu family and taught to pray and meditate from an early age. He remembers the peace of mind he developed from chanting the Gayatri Mantra, but at the same time was detached from the more formalistic aspects of religion. He tended to see religion as not scriptures and places of worship but the life we lead. As he explained:

“My religion is my life – it is growing with my growth – it has never been grafted on me from outside.” ~ Tagore to Robert Bridges, 8 July 1914.

He was keen to avoid any fanaticism and saw the strength of his own Hindu religion as its ability to see more than one path to the goal. His life-long aspiration was to see a harmony of religions flourish in India – not from mere tolerance but an appreciation of the different merits other religions had.

‘The Idea of freedom to which India aspired was based upon realization of spiritual unity…India’s great achievement, which is still stored deep within her heart, is waiting to unite within itself Hindu, Moslem, Buddhist and Christian, not by force, not by the apathy of resignation, but in the harmony of active cooperation.’ ~ Tagore in Berlin, 1921.

However, he was also critical of the Hindu caste system.

Tagore’s poetry frequently hint at a mystical view of the world.

“In this playhouse of infinite forms I have had my play, and here have I caught sight of him that is formless.” – Gitanjali “The human soul is on its journey from the law to love, from discipline to liberation, from the moral plane to the spiritual.” Sādhanā : The Realisation of Life (1916)

Tagore died on 7th August 1941, after a long and painful illness, aged 80. He died in his family home.

Citation: Pettinger, Tejvan . “ Rabindranath Tagore ”, Oxford, UK www.biographyonline.net , 1st Jun. 2009. Last updated 1 March 2019.

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Rabindranath Tagore

Rabindranath Tagore was born in Calcutta, India, on May 7, 1861. He was the son of Debendranath Tagore, a prominent philosopher and religious reformer. Throughout his childhood, Tagore was educated by tutors and wrote extensively, despite a marked disinterest for traditional schooling. In 1877, he sailed to England to study. He remained for just fourteen months, during which he was schooled in Brighton, East Sussex and at University College, where he studied law and attended lectures on English literature. He expressed dissatisfaction with the constraints of Western educational practices in England, however, and returned to India. 

Throughout his career, Tagore not only wrote and translated poetry, but published numerous novels, short stories, plays, letters, essays, memoirs, and criticism. He was also known for his musical compositions. Tagore’s most notable work of poetry is Gitanjali: Song Offerings (Macmillan, 1912), for which he received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913. He was the first non-European, as well as the first lyricist, to win the prize. Other notable poetry publications, written and published in Bengali, include Sonar Tari [The Golden Boat] (1894) and Manasi [The Ideal One] (1890). Tagore often published first in Bengali, then translated his own work to English. He wrote novels, plays, and short stories in both languages, including the plays Chitra (India Society of London, 1914) and The Post Office (Cuala Press, 1914). He is credited with pioneering the short story form in Bengali literature, with some of his best work collected in The Hungry Stones and Other Stories (Macmillan, 1916) and The Glimpses of Bengal Life (G. A. Nateson & Co., 1913). His short stories were especially famous in India, as many were based on his ten years in Shilaidah and Shazadpur, where he went to manage his family’s estates in the 1890s. During this time, he lived on a houseboat on the Padma River and socialized with the neighboring villagers. His compassion for them, and his belief in education for all, deeply influenced his short stories, as well as his later activism. Tagore’s stances on Indian independence, the caste system, education, religion, and other sociopolitical issues were expressed through his work. 

In his introduction to the English translation of Gitanjali , W. B. Yeats lauds Tagore’s poetic vision, writing: “these lyrics […] display in their thought a world I have dreamed of all my life long. The work of a supreme culture, they yet appear as much the growth of the common soil as the grass and the rushes. A tradition, where poetry and religion are the same thing, has passed through the centuries, gathering from learned and unlearned metaphor and emotion, and carried back again to the multitude the thought of the scholar and of the noble.” 

In 1901, Tagore’s work as an educator and activist led to his founding an experimental school at Shantiniketan, a retreat in rural Bengal that his father created in 1863. There, he hoped to merge Eastern and Western educational traditions. He believed there might be a more natural way for young people to learn, utilizing a method which would foster their imagination and instincts. For a time, he lived at the school, which became the international Visva-Bharati University. In 1912, Tagore left the school to read his work across Europe, America, and East Asia, and to lecture and advocate for Indian independence. In 1919, as a protest against the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, he rejected the British knighthood in 1915. Six years later, Tagore and Leonard Elmhirst founded the “Institute for Rural Reconstruction,” a feature of the Visva-Bharati University experiments. Through the institute, many of the concerns that Tagore expressed in his early short stories came to fruition: he believed rural India was barred from mainstream intellectual and urban life, and sought to facilitate a collaborative education. He requested aid from various artists, donors, and scholars across the world for this project. 

While Tagore pursued writing, teaching, and activism during much of his life, he became recognized as a painter when he was in his sixties, with many of his works enjoying success at exhibitions in Europe. 

Tagore died on August 7, 1941, in Calcutta.  

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From Nobel Lectures, Literature 1901-1967, Editor Horst Frenz, Elsevier Publishing Company, Amsterdam, 1969

Acknowledgement: This autobiography/biography was written at the time of the award and first published in the book series Les Prix Nobel. It was later edited and republished in Nobel Lectures. For more details, visit the Tagore's biography page in Nobelprize.Org.

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Rabindranath Tagore: Poet and Painter

Rabindranath Tagore (1861 – 1941) is best known as a poet, and in 1913 was the first non-European writer to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. Highly prolific, Tagore was also a composer – he wrote the national anthems for both India and Bangladesh – as well as an educator, social reformer, philosopher and painter. In India, he is regarded as a national figure whose achievements are as important as those of the anti-colonial nationalist Mahatma Gandhi (1869 –1948).

Rabindranath Tagore grew up in an intellectual and artistic family. His nephews Abanindranath and Gaganendranath were leaders of the new art movement in Bengal during the early 20th century, which later came to be known as the Bengal School . However, he was immune to the impact of the movement and produced works that were unique in his time and later served to inspire many modern Indian artists.

Tagore took up painting relatively late in his career, when he was in his sixties. Nevertheless, he produced thousands of works and was the first Indian artist to exhibit across Europe, Russia and the United States. His painting style was very individual, characterised by simple bold forms and a rhythmic quality.

His first paintings were highly imaginative works, usually focusing on animals or imaginary creatures, which are full of vitality and humour. Human figures are depicted either as individuals with expressive gestures or as groups in theatrical settings. In portraits produced during the 1930s, he rendered the human face in a way reminiscent of a mask or persona. Tagore also produced landscape paintings, although these represent the smallest output among his works.

Animals / Composites

Tagore's earliest visual work began with doodles that turned crossed-out words and lines into images that became expressive and sometimes grotesque forms. They were unplanned and shaped by accidents and intuitive decisions. Many of them represent animals described by Tagore as "a probable animal that had unaccountably missed its chance of existence" or "a bird that only can soar in our dreams". Tagore enjoyed projecting a human gesture onto an animal body and vice versa. This exchange between the familiar and the unknown led him to create forms that are as expressive as they are inventive.

Although he was untrained as an artist and sometimes referred to his paintings as "foundlings", the act of painting made Tagore increasingly observant and sensitive to the visible world, which he referred to as "a vast procession of forms". In his landscape paintings, which he focussed on later in his life, he often depicts nature bathed in evening light with radiant skies and forms coagulating into ominous silhouettes, invoking mystery and a foreboding silence.

Tagore did not name his paintings, by leaving them untitled he tried to free them from a literary connection and encourage the viewer to generate their own understanding and meaning of the images. His depiction of figures in his paintings were informed by his experience of the theatre as a playwright, director and actor. His figures have a dramatic presence, animated by gestures which do not suggest everyday activities. Sometimes their costumes, and the furniture and objects that surround them, play a role in this transformation of the ordinary into a dramatic motif. Rather than merely recognising situations and emotions in his paintings, they invite us to construct a narrative.

Human faces

The human face is a constant in Tagore's work, demonstrating his ongoing interest in human persona. As a writer, especially of short stories, he was used to linking human appearance with an inner human essence. Through his painting he found a similar opportunity in the representation of the human face. In the beginning, this usually led him to turn the face into a mask of a social type. Later, as his skills developed, shadows of faces he encountered began to meld with the painted faces and give them the resonance and expansiveness of characters.

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(Detail) Lithograph, reproduction of drawing by Rabindranath Tagore, about 1930 – 40, Bengal, India. Museum no. IS.74-1961. © Victoria and Albert Museum

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Rabindranath Tagore Biography: A Journey Through Words and Wisdom

Rabindranath Tagore, or Gurudev, occupies a towering position in Indian literature and cultural history. Born on May 7, 1861, in Calcutta (now Kolkata) , India, Tagore emerged from a family renowned for its intellectual and artistic pursuits. His father, Debendranath Tagore , was a prominent philosopher and leader of the Brahmo Samaj, a socio-religious reform movement. At the same time, his mother, Sarada Devi , provided a nurturing environment steeped in spirituality and creativity.

Rabindranath Tagore is credited with writing the national anthems of both India and Bangladesh. “ Jana Gana Mana ” serves as the national anthem of India, while “ Amar Shonar Bangla ” is the national anthem of Bangladesh. Both anthems are derived from Tagore’s Rabindra Sangeet, reflecting his profound influence on the cultural heritage of both nations.

Rabindranath Tagore Biography

Biography Highlight Table for Rabindranath Tagore

Early life and education.

Tagore’s early years were shaped by the rich tapestry of Bengali culture, which fostered his innate talent and curiosity. He received a diverse education, blending traditional Indian learning with Western literature and philosophy exposure. This multidimensional upbringing laid the foundation for his future endeavors and shaped his inclusive worldview.

Family Background

The Tagore name originates from the anglicized version of “Thakur.” Originally, the Tagore family surname was Kushari, and they belonged to the Pirali Brahmin community. The Tagores hailed from Kush, a village in the Burdwan district of West Bengal. Prabhat Kumar Mukhopadhyaya, Rabindranath Tagore’s biographer, explained in his book “Rabindrajibani O Rabindra Sahitya Prabeshak” that the Kusharis were descendants of Deen Kushari, the son of Bhatta Narayana. Maharaja Kshitisura granted Deen a village called Kush in Burdwan district, where he became its chief and became known as Kushari.

Literary Career

Tagore’s literary career spanned various genres, each marked by unparalleled creativity and depth.

• Poetry: Tagore’s poetic genius blossomed early, with his first collection, “Kabi Kahini” (The Poet’s Tale), published when he was just 16. His poetry, characterized by its lyrical beauty and spiritual depth, explored themes of love, nature, and the human condition. Works like “Gitanjali” (Song Offerings) brought him international acclaim and earned him the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913.
• Prose: Besides poetry, Tagore excelled in prose writing, crafting novels and short stories that reflected the complexities of Indian society. His novels, such as “Gora” and “Ghare-Baire” (The Home and the World), tackled issues of identity, nationalism, and the clash between tradition and modernity.
• Playwriting: Tagore’s contributions to the theater were equally significant. He penned numerous plays, blending poetic language with social and philosophical themes. Works like “Chitra” and “Raktakarabi” (Red Oleanders) showcased his ability to weave compelling narratives that resonated with audiences.
• Songwriting: Tagore’s musical compositions, Rabindra Sangeet, revolutionized Bengali music. With over 2,000 songs to his credit, he infused soul-stirring melodies with profound lyrics, covering many themes from patriotism to spirituality.

Tagore’s Influence on Literature and Society

Tagore’s impact on literature and society transcended geographical and cultural boundaries. His works, translated into numerous languages, continue to inspire readers and artists worldwide. Through his writings, Tagore explored the intricacies of the human experience, offering insights that remain relevant to this day.

Social and Political Activism

Beyond his literary pursuits, Tagore was deeply engaged in social and political activism. He advocated for education reform, founding the experimental school Shantiniketan, which emphasized holistic learning and artistic expression. Tagore also played a prominent role in the Indian nationalist movement, using his platform to champion the cause of freedom and social justice.

Education and Philanthropy

In 1878, Rabindranath Tagore embarked on a journey to London for his studies. Initially enrolled in law courses at University College London, he soon veered towards his true passions. Tagore opted to delve into English Literature, immersing himself in the rich literary traditions of England, Ireland, and Scotland.

Despite his legal studies, writing had always been a fervent passion for Tagore. His literary journey began at a remarkably young age, when he penned his first poem, “Abhilash,” at the tender age of 13. This poem was later published in the Tattvabodhini magazine in 1874, marking the auspicious beginning of Tagore’s illustrious literary career.

Tagore’s commitment to education extended beyond Shantiniketan. He believed in the transformative power of learning and supported various educational initiatives throughout his life. Tagore’s philanthropic endeavors aimed to uplift marginalized communities and promote cultural exchange and understanding.

Rabindranath Tagore At Shantiniketan

Tagore’s disdain for traditional schooling methods is vividly portrayed in his short story “The Parrot’s Training,” in which a bird is confined and fed textbook pages until its demise. This sentiment fueled his vision for a new kind of educational institution. During a visit to Santa Barbara in 1917, Tagore envisioned creating a university to bridge the gap between India and the world, transcending national and geographical boundaries.

The culmination of this vision was the establishment of Visva-Bharati, with its foundation stone laid on December 24, 1918, and its inauguration precisely three years later. Tagore implemented a brahmacharya system, where gurus provided personalized guidance to students on emotional, intellectual, and spiritual levels. Classes often took place outdoors under the shade of trees, fostering a close connection with nature.

Tagore was deeply involved in the school’s affairs, contributing his Nobel Prize winnings and dedicating himself to the role of steward-mentor at Santiniketan. He taught classes in the mornings and devoted afternoons and evenings to writing textbooks for the students. Between 1919 and 1921, Tagore embarked on fundraising efforts in Europe and the United States to support the school’s growth and development.

Nationalism and Patriotism

While Tagore initially supported Indian nationalism, his views evolved. He emphasized the importance of humanism and universalism, cautioning against the dangers of narrow nationalism. Tagore’s vision of patriotism was inclusive, rooted in a deep love for humanity and a commitment to universal values.

Journey Back Home: Mixing Cultures and Growing as an Artist in India

After coming back to India, Rabindranath Tagore got deeply involved in English, Irish, and Scottish literature and music, which really shaped his art. He also got married to Mrinalini Devi, who was only ten years old at that time.

List of Awards won by Rabindranath Tagore

In 1913, Tagore became the first non-European to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for his profound and lyrical poetry collection, “Gitanjali.” This prestigious accolade brought global recognition to Tagore’s literary genius and cemented his place in literary history.

Tagore’s Philosophy and Ideals

At the core of Tagore’s philosophy were ideals of harmony, freedom, and the pursuit of truth. He believed in the interconnectedness of all beings and advocated for love, empathy, and understanding as the cornerstones of a harmonious society.

Personal Life and Relationships

Tagore’s personal life was marked by profound relationships that influenced his work and worldview. His marriage to Mrinalini Devi and his close bond with his sister-in-law, Kadambari Devi, deeply impacted his emotional and creative life, serving as sources of inspiration for his literary endeavors.

Rabindranath Tagore’s Travel Journey

During his lifetime, Rabindranath Tagore traveled extensively, spanning over thirty countries across five continents. His journey began in 1878 and continued until 1933, taking him to diverse destinations such as England, the United States, Japan, Southeast Asia, and Europe. Along the way, Tagore engaged with prominent figures, including Albert Einstein, Robert Frost, and George Bernard Shaw. He shared his insights on nationalism, culture, and humanity, advocating for understanding and harmony among nations. Tagore’s travels left an indelible mark on his worldview, enriching his literary and philosophical contributions and fostering cultural exchange on a global scale.

Tagore’s Last Days and Legacy

Tagore passed away on August 7, 1941, at his family estate in Calcutta. However, his legacy continues, inspiring generations of writers, artists, and activists worldwide. Tagore’s timeless works and progressive ideals testify to the enduring power of literature and the human spirit.

Career Facts

• 1961, Satyajit Ray wrote and directed the Indian documentary film “Rabindranath Tagore” to commemorate Tagore’s birth centenary. The film was produced by the Government of India’s Films Division.
• Serbian composer Darinka Simic-Mitrovic utilized Tagore’s text for her song cycle “Gradinar” in 1962.
• American composer E. Anne Schwerdtfeger was commissioned in 1969 to compose “Two Pieces,” a work for women’s chorus based on Tagore’s text.
• Sukanta Roy’s Bengali film “Chhelebela” (2002) featured Jisshu Sengupta portraying Tagore.
• Bandana Mukhopadhyay’s Bengali film “Chirosakha He” (2007) cast Sayandip Bhattacharya as Tagore.
• Rituparno Ghosh’s Bengali documentary film “Jeevan Smriti” (2011) starred Samadarshi Dutta as Tagore.
• In Suman Ghosh’s Bengali film “Kadambari” (2015), Tagore was portrayed by Parambrata Chatterjee.

Rabindranath Tagore’s life and legacy testify to the transformative power of literature, art, and humanitarianism. His profound insights, literary accomplishments, and unwavering commitment to universal values continue to inspire and enrich lives across the globe, ensuring that his legacy remains vibrant and enduring for generations to come.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. was rabindranath tagore a nobel laureate.

Yes, Tagore was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for his collection of poems, “Gitanjali.”

2. What is Rabindra Sangeet?

Rabindra Sangeet refers to Tagore’s musical compositions, which blend poetic lyrics with soul-stirring melodies.

3. What were Tagore’s views on nationalism?

Tagore initially supported Indian nationalism but later emphasized a more inclusive and humanistic approach rooted in empathy and understanding.

4. How did Tagore’s works transcend cultural boundaries?

Tagore’s universal themes and profound insights into the human condition resonated with readers worldwide, transcending cultural and linguistic barriers.

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• Rabindranath Tagore A Brief Biography

Rabindranath Tagore born May 7, 1861 , Calcutta, India died Aug. 7, 1941 , Calcutta

Rabindranath Tagore is regarded as one of the greatest writers in modern Indian literature. Bengali poet, novelist and educator, he won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913. Tagore was awarded the knighthood in 1915, but he surrendered it in 1919 as a protest against the Massacre of Amritsar, where British troops killed some 400 Indian demonstrators protesting colonial laws.

Tagore was born in Calcutta in a wealthy and prominent Brahmin family. His father was Maharishi Debendranath Tagore, a religious reformer and scholar; his mother Sarada Devi, died when he was very young. Tagore’s grandfather had established a huge financial empire for himself, and financed public projects, such as Calcutta Medical College. The Tagores were pioneers of the Bengal Renaissance and tried to combine traditional Indian culture with and Western ideas.

The youngest child in the family, Tagore started to compose poems at the age of eight. He received his early education first from tutors and then at a variety of schools. Among them were Bengal Academy where he studied Bengali history and culture, and University College, London, where he studied law but left after a year without completing his studies.

His first book, a collection of poems, appeared when he was 17; it was published by Tagore’s friend who wanted to surprise him. In 1901 Tagore founded a school outside Calcutta, Visva-Bharati, which was dedicated to emerging Western and Indian philosophy and education. It become a university in 1921. He produced poems, novels, stories, a history of India, textbooks, and treatises on pedagogy.

Tagore’s reputation as a writer was established in the United States and in England after the publication of Gitanjali: Song Offerings, in which Tagore tried to find inner calm and explored the themes of divine and human love. The poems were translated into English by Tagore himself. His cosmic visions owed much to the lyric tradition of Vaishnava Hinduism and its concepts about the relationship between man and God. Much of Tagore’s ideology comes from the teaching of the Upahishads and from his own beliefs that God can be found through personal purity and service to others. He stressed the need for new world order based on transnational values and ideas, the “unity consciousness.”

Between the years 1916 and 1934 he travelled widely, attempting to spread the ideal of uniting East and West. Only hours before he died on August 7, in 1941, Tagore dictated his last poem.

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• Rabindranath Tagore Biography

Introduction

Rabindranath Thakur was a man of various talents. He was recognized by people all over the globe for his literary works - poetry, philosophies, plays, and especially his songwriting. Rabindranath Tagore was the man who gave India, its National Anthem. He was one of the greatest entities of all time and the only Indian to receive a Nobel Prize.

Rabindranath Tagore was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1913, becoming the first non-European to receive the honour. He was only sixteen years old when he was to publish his first short story called “Bhanisimha”, was published. Rabindranath Tagore was born on the 07th of May, 1861 in Kolkata. Rabindranath Tagore was the son of Debendranath Tagore, one of Brahmo Samaj’s active members, a known and celebrated philosopher, and literate. R.N Tagore died after a prolonged illness on the 07th of August, 1941.

Rabindranath Tagore Childhood and Education

While growing up, R.N Tagore shared a very intimate relationship with his elder brother and his sister-in-law. Rabindranath Tagore's father's name is Debendranath Tagore, and his mother’s name is Sarada Devi. Rabindranath Tagore's birthday is on the 7th of May, 1861, and he was born in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency then. It is believed that they did everything together. Rabindranath Tagore's education didn’t seem too impressive. 

R.N Tagore did not enjoy schooling, and he was mostly found procrastinating and pondering for hours. He went to one of the most prestigious St. Xavier’s School, and later, he went to the University of London in Bridgton, England, to study law and become a barrister. Still, as we know, he did not enjoy schooling much; he returned home in two years but without a degree. Even though he did not enjoy schooling much, he was always found with books, pen, and ink. He would always be scribbling things in his notebook; however, he was shy to reveal his writings.

Growing Years and Career

R.N Tagore was only eight years old when he first wrote a poem. By the age of sixteen, his short story got published, titled “Bhanusimha”. R.N Tagore’s contribution to literature is beyond any measure. He was the one who had introduced new verses and prose and also lingua franca in his mother tongue, which is Bangla. R.N Tagore after returning to India after leaving his education, but he did not leave literature. 

R.N Tagore published several books of Rabindranath Tagore poems and short stories, plays, and songs. His most renowned work, called “Gitanjali”, was very well received all over India and England. He is the author of two National Anthems, which are “Amar Sonar Bangla” for Bangladesh and  “Jana Gana Mana” for India. He worked with very unfamiliar and different styles in Bangla Language. Some of them are heavily immersed in social and political satire. He was one of those who believed in global peace and equality. He is one of the pioneers of contemporary Bengali literature. 

After returning to India, he completed and published his book of poems called “Manasi” which was believed to contain his best poems. “Manasi” contained several verse forms which were fresh to contemporary Bengali literature, and it also contained some political and social satire that questioned and mocked R.N Tagore’s fellow Bengalis. 

Besides writing and working on literature, R.N Tagore also participated in the family business. In 1891, he went to East Bengal, which is now in Bangladesh, to look after his ancestral estates and lands at Shahzadpur and Shilaidaha for almost 10 years. He spent some time in a houseboat at Padma river, and his sympathy for village folk became the keynote of most literature later in his life. In East India, poems and other works of Rabindranath Tagore were published as a collection in the book called “Sonar Tari” and a very notable and celebrated play called “Chitrangada”. He has written over two thousand songs which are very popular in Bengal until now. When R.N Tagore was in his 60s, he tried his hand at painting, and for the talented man he was, his works won him a good name among India’s topmost contemporary artists.

Rabindranath Tagore and Shantiniketan

Rabindranath Tagore received his nickname “Gurudev”, out of respect by his pupils at his very unique and special school, which he established in Shantiniketan, called “Visva Bharati University” Santiniketan was developed and founded by the Tagore family. This little town was very close to Rabindranath Tagore. 

R.N Tagore wrote several poems and songs about this place. Unlike other universities, “Visva Bharati” University was open to each student who was eager to learn. The classrooms and the scope for learning in this university were not confined within four walls. Instead, classes took place in open space, beneath the massive banyan trees on the university grounds. To this date, this ritual of attending classes in open spaces is practiced by the students and the teachers. R.N Tagore permanently moved to the school after.

Rabindranath Tagore Death and His Encounters with Death

R.N Tagore was only fourteen years old when Sharada Devi, his mother, passed away. After his mother's sudden and heartbreaking demise, R.N Tagore was mostly seen avoiding classrooms and schooling. Instead, he would roam about his town Bolpur. He had to face the death of several of his loved ones, that too, one after the other, which left him devastated and heartbroken. After his mother, R.N Tagore lost a very close friend and a very significant influence, Kadambari Devi, his sister-in-law. It is presumed that R.N Tagore’s novella called “Nastanirh” was about Kadambari Devi.

It is also believed that she had committed suicide four months after R.N Tagore’s marriage to Mrinalini Devi. There are some serious speculations made about R.N Tagore, and his sister-in-law sharing a very intimate relationship and that maybe the two were in love; however, there has been no confirmation on the same. Later, his wife, Mrinalini Devi, too died due to an illness. He lost his two daughters, Madhurilata, who R.N Tagore adored and was fond of the most due to tuberculosis, and Renuka and his son Shamindranath due to cholera. These deaths shook him to the core, but he never failed to pick up his pen again. Even though all these encounters with death gave him shaping his personality and writing style, he kept longing for a companion who shares the same interests as he does. 

Life was a little less cruel to him at this point. When he found that companion, he had been longing for - his niece Indira Devi, who was highly educated and well-read. R.N Tagore wrote to her about some sensitive details about his life. These letters to Indira Devi witnessed the sheer vulnerability of his emotional state, sensibilities, and experiences. Since Indira Devi had copied all his letters in a notebook; it eventually got published. “Chinnapatra” can give one a glimpse of Tagore’s growth as a human and as an artist. Grief had been a constant part of R.N Tagore’s life, which is often reflected in his literary works; after losing Rabindranath Tagore's wife and daughters, he lost his father too. These years of sadness and sorrow, which were very actively reflected in his literary works, were introduced as “Gitanjali” which won him the Nobel Prize.

Rabindranath Tagore and His Nationalism

R.N Tagore was politically very aware and very critical at the same time, he not only criticized the British Raj, but he was also very vocal about the mistakes his fellow Bengalis and Indians made. These were reflected in the socio-political satires he wrote and published. When R.N Tagore had been awarded a knighthood, as a sign of protest against the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, he repudiated the award. Recognition, fame, money nothing mattered to him when it came to his country. He loved his country, the lands, rivers, and the people of his country very much. 

It is thus quite right to say that Tagore opposed European colonialism and supported Indian nationalists. He also shunned the Swadeshi Movement and urged Indians to accept that education is the way forward. A blind revolution will only lead to the loss of lives and unwanted and unnecessary loss of life.

Rabindranath Tagore and His Love For Literature, Art, and Music

Some of the most renowned works of Tagore which are highly recommended works of literature are “Noukadubi'', “Shesher Kobita”, “Chaturanga”, “Gora”, “Char Adhyay”, “Jogajog”, “Ghare Baire”. “Ghare Baire'' was also produced as a film by another precious talent Satyajit Ray. His novels were very underappreciated in his time but gained a lot of respect after film directors like Tapan Sinha, Tarun Majumdar and of course, Satyajit Ray adapted and made feature films based on his novels. In popular culture, even his songs, poems and novels are employed in Movies and as background scores. The genre of the songs by Rabindranath Tagore are known as “Rabindra Sangeet'' and movies have been adapted and made out of his novels “Noukadubi” and “Chokher Bali”. It is highly recommended to read “Gitanjali'' to appreciate Tagore's poetic style and to appreciate some very heartfelt and moving songs that he wrote, it is recommended to listen to “Tobu Mone Rekho”. 

In addition to all this, Rabindranath Tagore was a commendable artist and musician too. His paintings are celebrated both nationally and internationally and have received wide acclaim. His songs are considered to be at the heart of Bengal culture and his compilations are fondly termed Rabindra Sangeet. These songs elaborate on themes of love, worship, devotion, and so on. RN Tagore started painting at the age of 60. His brilliant artwork is displayed to this day in several museums globally.

Rabindranath Tagore And His Last Days

Rabindranath Tagore died in the place he loved the most. However, the last few years of his life were quite painful.  He was affected by chronic illness during the last 4 years of his life. In 1937, he went into a comatose condition due to this prolonged suffering he was enduring. On August 7th in 1941, this great novelist, poet, musician, and painter passed away quietly in the same Jorasanko mansion in which he was brought up.

Conclusion 

Here is everything students should know about Rabindranath Tagore, his life, his works and his achievements in life.

FAQs on Rabindranath Tagore Biography

1. What are the Famous Books Written by Rabindranath Tagore?

We all know that Rabindranath Tagore took a keen liking to write from a young age. Although he was frequently seen skipping school, you could always find him scribbling something in his notebook. This paved the way for a great future novelist who even received the Nobel Prize for Literature. His works talked about nationalism, social evils, and the need for harmony between Indians. Gitanjali is RN Tagore’s most acclaimed work. It has received critical praise internationally and is loved by all literary aficionados. Here are some famous books are written by Rabindranath Tagore: 

The Home and the world

The Post Office

2. Why is Rabindranath Tagore so Famous?

Rabindranath Tagore is famous for the Nobel Prize Award for literature and he was the first Indian to achieve such huge respect and honour. He had many talents apart from writing great poems. It should be noted that RN Tagore’s popularity in English speaking nations grew in leaps and bounds after the publication of his book Gitanjali. Later in 1913, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for this critically acclaimed book. Another huge factor contributing to Tagore’s growing popularity was the renunciation of his knighthood. He did not accept this honour conferred by the British crown on him in protest against the Jalianwala Bagh massacre. This great poet also toured extensively around Japan and the U.S., where he talked about the importance of nationalism. This helped him earn deep admiration and respect from foreigners all over the world.

3. Why Did Rabindranath Tagore Receive the Nobel Prize for Literature?

The Nobel Prize award was awarded to Rabindranath Tagore in the year 1913 because of his sensitive, impeccable, fresh, unique, and beautiful verse. He expressed his poetic thoughts in his own words that are mostly followed in the West. Rabindranath Tagore is considered responsible for the modernization of Bengali literature. He preserved the cultural heritage of this beautiful language all while breathing some new life into it. Gitanjali is a collection of song offerings that have been penned down by this legendary novelist and poet. It was this book that won him the revered Nobel Prize in Literature. In total, there were 157 poems in that book that touched upon various themes such as devotion, nationalism, worship, etc.

4. What was Tagore’s Stint as an Actor?

We all know that Rabindranath Tagore is famous for writing many dramas that have derived inspiration from Indian mythology and contemporary social issues facing society in those days. He began his drama career writing alongside his brother when he was only a young teenager. At 20 years of age, RN Tagore penned a drama named ‘Valmiki Pratibha’ and also played the lead role of the titular character in it. The drama was based on stories about the legendary dacoit named Valmiki. It is Valmiki who later changed his ways and wrote one of the two greatest Indian epics – Ramayana. This was Tagore’s short stint as an actor.

5. Did RN Tagore Receive a Formal Education?

Rabindranath Tagore’s family always wished that he became a barrister. They sent him to elite schools and universities, in the hopes that he would pursue a career in law. However, young Rabindranath always shied away from rote learning and spent most of his time scribbling down ideas in his notebook. RN Tagore was also enrolled in the University College in London but he dropped out without completing his formal education. However, his love for English, Irish, and Scottish literature soon helped him morph into the much revered and loved novelist he is known as today.

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Rabindranath Tagore: Biography

Last updated on April 8, 2024 by ClearIAS Team

Rabindranath Tagore was an iconic figure in the Indian cultural renaissance. He was a polymath poet, philosopher, musician, writer, and educationist.

Rabindranath Tagore became the first Asian to win the Nobel Prize in 1913 for his collection of poems, Gitanjali.

He was called Gurudev, Kabiguru, and Biswakabi affectionately and his songs are popularly known as Rabindrasangeet.

The national anthems of India and Bangladesh – the Jana Gana Mana and the Amar Shonar Bangla respectively are from the Rabindrasangeet.

Table of Contents

The early life of Rabindranath Tagore

Rabindranath Tagore was born on 7 th May 1861 in Calcutta as the youngest son of Debendranath Tagore and Sarada Devi.

His grandfather Dwarkanath Tagore was a rich landlord and social reformer. His father, Debendranath Tagore was a leader of the Brahmo Samaj , a new religious sect in nineteenth-century Bengal which attempted a revival of the ultimate monistic basis of Hinduism as laid down in the Upanishads.

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The Tagore family was a treasure trove of talent in every field. They hosted the publication of literary magazines; theatre and recitals of Bengali and Western classical music featured there regularly. Tagore’s father invited several professional musicians to stay in the house and teach Indian Classical music to the children.

Tagore’s oldest brother Dwijendranath was a philosopher and poet. Another brother, Satyendranath, was the first Indian appointed to the formerly all-European Indian Civil Service. Another brother, Jyotitindranath, was a musician, composer, and playwright. His sister Swarnakumari became a novelist.

Also read: Modern Indian Sculpture

Rabindra Nath Tagore had his initial education in Oriental Seminary School. But he did not like the conventional education and started studying at home under several teachers. He was mostly trained by his siblings both in literary as well as physical activities like gymnastics and martial arts.

Tagore was a child prodigy when it comes to writing as he has started writing and publishing poetry by the age of eight.

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In 1873, at the age of eleven, Tagore and his father left Calcutta to tour India for several months. He visited his father’s Santiniketan estate and Amritsar before reaching the Himalayan hill station of Dalhousie where he read biographies, studied history, astronomy, modern science, and Sanskrit, and examined the classical poetry of Kalidasa.

At the age of seventeen, he was sent to England for formal law schooling but he did not finish his studies there. He rather took up independent studies of Shakespeare.

He returned from England in 1880 and regularly published poems, stories, and novels in Bengali, slowly starting to transform Bengali literature.

In 1883, he married Mrinalini Devi, a child bride as was the tradition in those times.

Rabindranath Tagore in Santiniketan

Tagore moved to Santiniketan ashram in 1901, where he started an experimental school based on traditional guru-shishya teaching methods from the Upanishads. He hoped that the revival of the ancient methods of teaching will be more beneficial than the British imparted modern education system.

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His wife and two of their children died during this time which left him distraught.

After his return from England and during his stay in Santiniketan, Tagore wrote several literary works of poetry, stories, and novels. His works had started gaining immense popularity in India as well as abroad.

In 1909, Rabindranath Tagore started writing Gitanjali. In 1912, Tagore went to Europe for the second time. On the journey to London, he translated some of his poems/songs from Gitanjali to English. He met William Rothenstein, a noted British painter, in London who was impressed by the poems, made copies, and gave to Yeats and other English poets. Yeats was enthralled and later wrote the introduction to Gitanjali when it was published in September 1912 in a limited edition by the India Society in London. And in 1913, this collection of poems won the Nobel Prize in Literature. He was the first non-European to receive the prestigious award.

In 1915, he was awarded a knighthood by King George V.

Rabindranath Tagore in Independence movement

Tagore participated in the Indian nationalist movement from time to time, though in his own non-sentimental and visionary way; and Gandhi, the political father of modern India , was his devoted friend. Tagore came to be recognized as one of the architects of modern India.

India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru , wrote in  Discovery of India , “Tagore and Gandhi have undoubtedly been the two outstanding and dominating figures in the first half of the twentieth century. Tagore’s influence over the mind of India, and especially of successive rising generations has been tremendous. Not Bengali only, the language in which he wrote, but all the modern languages of India have been molded partly by his writings. More than any other Indian, he has helped to bring into harmony the ideals of the East and the West, and broadened the bases of Indian nationalism.”

In 1905, Viceroy Curzon decided to divide Bengal into two parts. Rabindranath Tagore strongly protested against this decision. Tagore wrote many national songs and attended protest meetings. He initiated the Rakhibandhan ceremony, symbolizing the underlying unity of undivided Bengal.

In 1919, following the Jallianwala Bagh massacre , Tagore renounced his knighthood condemning the act. He was a supporter of Gandhiji but he stayed out of politics. He was opposed to nationalism and militarism as a matter of principle, and instead promoted spiritual values and the creation of a new world culture founded in multi-culturalism, diversity, and tolerance.

Tagore the educationalist

1n 1921, Rabindranath Tagore established Viswabharati University and gave all his money from Nobel Prize and royalty money from his books to this University.

Tagore was quite knowledgeable of Western culture, especially Western poetry and sciences. Tagore had a good grasp of modern – post-Newtonian – physics and was well able to hold his own in a debate with Einstein in 1930 on the newly emerging principles of quantum mechanics and chaos. His meetings and tape-recorded conversations with his contemporaries such as Albert Einstein and H.G. Wells, epitomize his brilliance.

In 1940 Oxford University arranged a special ceremony in Santiniketan and awarded Rabindranath Tagore with a Doctorate of Literature.

Literary works of Rabindranath Tagore

Although Tagore wrote successfully in all literary genres, he was, first of all, a poet. Among his fifty and odd volumes of poetry are:

Manasi  (1890) (The Ideal One),  Sonar Tari  (1894) (The Golden Boat),  Gitanjali (1910) (Song Offerings), Gitimalya  (1914) (Wreath of Songs), and  Balaka  (1916) (The Flight of Cranes).

The English renderings of his poetry, which include  The Gardener  (1913),  Fruit-Gathering  (1916), and  The Fugitive  (1921), do not generally correspond to particular volumes in the original Bengali.

Tagore’s major plays are  Raja  (1910) [The King of the Dark Chamber],  Dakghar  (1912) [The Post Office] ,   Achalayatan  (1912) [The Immovable],  Muktadhara  (1922) [The Waterfall], and  Raktakaravi  (1926) [Red Oleanders].

He is the author of several volumes of short stories and many novels, among them Gora  (1910),  Ghare-Baire  (1916) [ The Home and the World ], and  Yogayog  (1929) [Crosscurrents].

Besides these, he wrote musical dramas, dance dramas, essays of all types, travel diaries, and two autobiographies, one in his middle years and the other shortly before his death in 1941. Tagore also left numerous drawings and paintings, and songs for which he wrote the music himself.

He also played the title role in his first original dramatic piece- Valmiki Pratibha.

After an extended period of suffering, Tagore died on August 7, 1941, in the same mansion in which he was brought up.

Legacy of Rabindranath Tagore:

Rabindranath Tagore changed the way Bengali literature was perceived as he left an everlasting impression on the readers.

Many countries have his statues erected and host many yearly events to pay tribute to the legendary writer.

Many of his works have been made global, thanks to a host of translations by many famous international writers.

There are five museums dedicated to Tagore. While three of them are situated in India, the remaining two are in Bangladesh. The museums’ house his famous works, and are visited by millions every year.

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Rabindranath Tagore Biography: Early Life, Education, Literary Work, Achievements & More

Rabindranath tagore jayanti 2023: he was a great scholar, novelist, essayist, song composer, and playwright. rabindranath tagore jayanti marks the birth anniversary of the famous writer rabindranath tagore. he was born on 7 may, 1861. let us read more about rabindranath tagore, his early life, childhood days, works, family, awards, and achievements..

Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti 2023: The birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore is observed on 7 May according to the Gregorian calendar but according to the Bengali calendar, he was born on the 25th day of Boishakh month. So, in West Bengal, his birthday as per the Bengali calendar is being celebrated this year on 9 May. In the article below, know all about Tagore's early life, his family, education, career and more. 

Rabindranath Tagore: Early life and Childhood Days

He was born on 7 May, 1861 to Debendranath Tagore and Sarada Devi in the Jorasanko mansion which is the ancestral home of the Tagore family in Kolkata (Calcutta). Among his siblings, he was the youngest. He lost his mother when he was very young, his father was a traveller and so, he was mostly raised by his servants and maids. At a very young age, he was part of the Bengal renaissance and his family also took active participation in it. At the age of 8, he started writing poems and by the age of sixteen, he also started composing artworks and started publishing his poems under the pseudonym Bhanusimha. In 1877 he wrote the short story 'Bhikharini' and in 1882 the collection of poems 'Sandhya Sangit'.

He was influenced by the classical poetry of Kalidasa and started writing his own classical poems. His sister Swarnakumari was a well-known novelist. In 1873, he toured with his father for several months and gained knowledge on several subjects. He learned Sikhism when he stayed at Amritsar and pen down around six poems and many articles on the religion.

Rabindranath Tagore: Education

His traditional education began in Brighton, East Sussex, England, at a public school. In 1878, he went to England to become a barrister to fulfill his father's wish. He was not much interested in school learning and later also he joined University College in London to learn law but he dropped this and learned various works of Shakespeare on his own. He also learned the essence of English, Irish and Scottish literature and music; he returned to India and married Mrinalini Devi.

Rabindranath Tagore: Established Shantiniketan

Let us tell you that Rabindranath Tagore envisioned a centre of learning which would have the best of both the east and the west. He established the Visva Bharati University in West Bengal. It consists of two campuses one at Shantiniketan and the other at Sriniketan. Sriniketan focuses on agriculture, adult education, village, cottage industries, and handicrafts.

Rabindranath Tagore: Literary Works

Japajog: Published in 1929, His novel is a compelling take on marital rape.

Nastanirh: Published in 1901. This novel is about relationships and love, both requited and unrequited.

Ghare Baire: Published in 1916. It is a story about a married woman constricted in her household trying to find her own identity.

Gora: In the 1880s, it is an expansive, exhaustive, and extremely relevant novel that deals with several themes like religion, gender, feminism, and also tradition against modernity.

Chokher Bali: In 1903, a novel which consists of various facets of relationships.

His short stories are Bhikarini, Kabuliwala, Kshudita Pashan, Atottju, Haimanti and Musalmanir Golpo etc.

Poems are Balaka, Purobi, Sonar Tori and Gitanjali.

No doubt he has changed the dimensions of Bengali literature as it was earlier viewed. Many countries have even erected their statues to pay tribute to the legendary writer. Around five museums are dedicated to Tagore out of which three are situated in India and the remaining two in Bangladesh.

He spent his last years in severe pain and even in 1937, he went into a comatose condition. After a lot of suffering, he died on 7 August 1941 in the Jorasanko mansion where he was brought up. 

Mahatma Gandhi Biography: Family, History, Movements, and Facts

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Paragraph on Rabindranath Tagore [100, 150, 200, 250 Words]

Paragraph on Rabindranath Tagore: Rabindranath Tagore is one of the greatest poets in the world. In this article, you are going to learn how to write a paragraph on Rabindranath Tagore in English. Here, we’ve provided 4 paragraphs on Rabindranath Tagore (100, 150, 200, and 250 words). These paragraphs will be very helpful for students of all classes (class 1 to class 12). So, let’s begin.

Table of Contents

Paragraph on Rabindranath Tagore [100 Words]

Rabindranath Tagore was a great Indian poet. He was born at Jorasanka, Kolkata on 7th May 1861. His father’s name was Devendranath Tagore . His mother’s name was Sarala Devi. He started writing poems from his childhood. Rabindranath wrote many poems, short stories, essays, dramas, novels and songs.

He was also a great composer. He composed the national anthem of our county, Jana Gana Mana . His Important works are Gitanjali, Ghare Baire, Rabindra Sangeet, Amar Sonar Bangla, etc. He was the first Indian to win the noble prize in 1913 for ‘Gitanjali’. He died on 7th august 1941. Rabindranath tagore will remain in our hearts forever.

Paragraph on Rabindranath Tagore [150 Words]

Rabindranath Tagore, one of the greatest sons of India, was born in a very rich, cultured and zamindar family at Jorasanko, Calcutta, in 1861. His father’s name was Maharshi Devendranath Tagore. He went to England several times in his early childhood.

Tagore showed great promise as a writer and composer from his early childhood. His first opera Bhanu Singher Padabali created a sensation. He was married to Mrinalini Devi . Rabindranath wrote a large number of dramas, novels, short stories, poems, etc. His most brilliant work was Geetanjali for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature in 1913.

However, his greatest creation was Santiniketan . Rabindranath was not only a great writer and composer but also a strong supporter of the nationalist movement. He also worked for international brotherhood and advocated equality among mankind. He died at the age of 80 in 1941.

Also Read: Paragraph on Swami Vivekananda 

Paragraph on Rabindranath Tagore [200 Words]

Nothing can be said enough for Rabindranath’s genius. Rabindranath Tagore popularly known as Gurudev was born in a rich aristocratic Bengali family in 1861. His father’s name was Debendranath Tagore and his mother’s name was Sarada Devi. Rabindranath was the youngest member of his family.

Rabindranath had no formal University education. But he went to England at the age of 17. He joined the University of London but he returned home soon after. His poetic career started quite early. His first collection of lyrics ‘Manashi’ was published in 1890. That was followed by two more collections of lyrics- ‘Chitra’ and ‘sonar Tari’ .

‘Gitanjali’ was published in 1909. That won for him the Nobel Prize of Literature in 1913. Rabindranath was a versatile literary master. He was a novelist and dramatist of repute. Rabindranath wrote innumerable poems, Dramas, essays, plays, short stories, novels etc. He was a sincere educator and social reformer.

He founded Viswa-Bharati University at Santiniketan, Bolepur in 1901. As a man Rabindranath was outstanding. He was a great patriot and peace-lover. Rabindranath wrote our national anthem, Jana Gana Mana. He ever stood against social wrongs. The great poet passed away on August 7, 1941.

Also Read: Paragraph on Mother Teresa

Rabindranath Tagore Paragraph [250 Words]

Rabindranath Tagore was a great Indian poet. He was lovingly called Gurudev or Kabi Guru . He was born at Jorasanka, Kolkata on 7th May 1861. His father was Devendranath Tagore and his mother was Sarada Devi. He was born in a rich Brahmin family in Kolkata. He was the youngest sibling in his family.

Rabindranath was educated at home. At the age of seventeen, he was sent to England to become a barrister to fulfill his father’s wish. He was interested in writing poems from his childhood. His first poem was published when he was only eight. He started publishing his poems under the pseudonym Bhanusingha .

Tagore was a multi-talented personality with a great desire to learn new things. He was a novelist, essayist, playwright, short-story writer, painter and song composer. Rabindranath Tagore wrote ‘Jana Mana Gana’, which was adopted as the National Anthem of India.  His notable works are Gitanjali, Chokher bali, Ghare Baire, Kabuliwallah, Rabindra sangeet, Amar Sonar bangla etc.

He was the first Indian to win the noble prize in literature in 1913 for ‘Gitanjali’. He was married to Mrinalini Devi.  Rabindranath Tagore found Visva Bharati University at Shantiniketan, Birbhum. Tagore was also a great patriot, he participated in the Indian nationalist movement.

Tagore was awarded Knighthood by the ruling British Government in 1915. But he renounced his Knighthood as a protest against the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919. This eminent person died at the age of 80 on 7th august 1941. He will remain in our loving memory forever.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. where was rabindranath tagore born.

Rabindranath was born on May 7, 1861 in a wealthy Brahmin family in Calcutta.

Q. Why Tagore was awarded Noble Prize?

He won the Nobel Prize for his collection of poems, Gitanjali, in 1913

Q. Why did Rabindranath give up his Knighthood?

Rabindranath Tagore gave up his knighthood as a protest against the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919 .

Q. What are the famous books of Rabindranath Tagore?

His famous books are Chokher Bali, Kabuliwallah, Ghare Baire, Gora, The Post Office, Gitanjali, The Astronomer, etc.

Read More Paragraphs: 1. Paragraph on Mother Teresa 2. Paragraph on APJ Abdul Kalam 3. Paragraph on Swami Vivekananda

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7 thoughts on “paragraph on rabindranath tagore [100, 150, 200, 250 words]”.

I really like this. I wanna give it 100/10000

Very best writer of english

I really enjoyed reading your blog post on Rabindranath Tagore. His work is so inspiring and I can’t help but be drawn in by his words. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on him!

the website is awesome

In the paragraph of 250 words, I think it should be Sarada Devi not Sarala Devi. Otherwise, this website is awesome….

Thank You so much. Keep visiting our website

Awesome article.

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Rabindranath Tagore : a biography

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