top of page

Rabindrath Tagore

​

​

Rabindranath Tagore was a famous Indian poet, writer, musician, and artist. He was born on May 7, 1861, in Kolkata, India. Tagore is celebrated all over the world for his works, especially in poetry and literature. He was also the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, which he received in 1913 for his book Gitanjali.

​

Early Life and Education

 

Tagore was born into a wealthy and respected Bengali family. His father, Debendranath Tagore, was a religious leader, and his mother, Sarada Devi, was very kind and loving. Tagore was the youngest of thirteen children. He had many brothers and sisters who were talented in writing, music, and art.

​

When he was young, Tagore did not go to a traditional school. His father believed in learning through nature and self-study. Tagore loved to read and write and spent much time learning at home. At 17, Tagore traveled to England to study law but soon returned to India, as he did not enjoy formal education.

 

Writing Career

 

Tagore started writing poems when he was just eight years old. As he grew older, he wrote many poems, songs, stories, and plays. His writing often spoke about love, beauty, nature, and India. His poems were in Bengali, his native language, but he also translated many of them into English.

​

One of his most famous books is Gitanjali, which means "Song Offerings." This book includes many spiritual poems and was loved by readers in India and around the world. In 1913, Tagore won the Nobel Prize in Literature for Gitanjali. He was the first Asian and Indian to receive this honor, and this award made him very famous.

 

Contribution to Indian Culture

 

Tagore loved his country deeply. He believed in freedom, peace, and unity. During British rule in India, he spoke against injustice and wanted India to be free. Tagore also wrote the national anthems for both India and Bangladesh. The Indian national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, is sung with pride in India, and Amar Shonar Bangla is sung in Bangladesh.

 

Shantiniketan and Education

 

In 1901, Tagore started a school called Shantiniketan in a small village in West Bengal, India. He wanted the school to be different from regular schools. Here, students learned about art, music, literature, and nature. Tagore believed that students should feel free to learn creatively, without strict rules. Shantiniketan later became Visva-Bharati University and still exists today as a respected university.

 

Later Life and Travels

 

Tagore traveled to many countries, such as the United States, Japan, and several parts of Europe. During his travels, he gave speeches and shared his ideas about education, culture, and peace. Tagore met many famous people, like Albert Einstein, and made many friends worldwide. He wanted people from different countries to understand and respect each other.

​

In his later years, Tagore continued to write poems, songs, and plays. He also started painting and became a skilled artist, even though he began painting in his 60s. He created many beautiful and unique artworks, showing his creativity until the end of his life.

 

Death and Legacy

 

Rabindranath Tagore passed away on August 7, 1941, in Kolkata, India. He was 80 years old. Today, Tagore is remembered as a national hero and one of India's greatest writers. His poems, songs, and ideas about life, love, and freedom continue to inspire people worldwide. In India, he is often called "Gurudev," meaning "Teacher" or "Respected One."

 

Tagore’s legacy lives on through his writings, songs, and ideas on education and peace. His works are still read and loved, especially in India and Bangladesh, where people feel proud of his contributions to their culture. The songs he composed are still sung, and his books are read in schools and universities. His life reminds us of the importance of art, culture, and humanity.

​

Glossary

  • Poet - A person who writes poems.

  • Literature - Written works, especially those with artistic value, like books and poems.

  • Nobel Prize - A very special award given to people for great work in fields like literature, peace, and science.

  • Songs - Short pieces of music with words.

  • University - A school for higher education, where people study after high school.

  • Philosophy - Ideas about life, existence, and how we think.

  • Cultural Heritage - Traditions, values, and achievements of a culture or country.

  • National Anthem - The official song of a country.

  • Freedom of Expression - The right to say and show one's ideas without fear.

  • Patriot - A person who strongly supports their country.

​

True/False Questions

  1. Rabindranath Tagore won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913. 
  2. Tagore studied medicine in England. 

  3. Tagore started writing poetry when he was eight years old. 

  4. Shantiniketan was a school Tagore founded to teach traditional school subjects only. 

  5. Tagore wrote the national anthem of India and Bangladesh. 

 

Comprehension Questions

  1. Where was Rabindranath Tagore born?​

  2. What is the meaning of the title of Tagore's famous book, Gitanjali?​

  3. Why did Tagore leave his studies in England?​

  4. What topics did Tagore write about in his poems and stories?​

  5. Why did Tagore start the school Shantiniketan?​

  6. What did Tagore believe in for his country, India?​

  7. Name one famous scientist that Tagore met during his travels.​

  8. What is Tagore’s special title in India, and what does it mean?​

  9. Besides writing, what other art form did Tagore practice in his later life?​

  10. Why are Tagore’s works still important in India and Bangladesh today?​

​

bottom of page