Rabindranath Tagore

Date of Birth: May 7, 1861

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: August 7, 1941

Biography

Rabindranath Tagore was an Indian polymath, poet, musician, and artist who reshaped Bengali literature and music, as well as Indian art in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was born into an affluent family in Calcutta, now Kolkata, and was educated at home before studying in England. Tagore began writing poetry at a young age and published his first collection of poems under the pseudonym “Bhanusimha” at the age of sixteen. His profound works, including the famous anthology “Gitanjali,” earned him the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913, making him the first non-European to win this prestigious award. Tagore’s contributions extend beyond poetry to include short stories, novels, plays, essays, and paintings. He also founded the Visva-Bharati University, a center for learning that embraced global cultural exchange. Tagore’s legacy is preserved not only in his literary and artistic achievements but also in his philosophical and educational ideals that continue to inspire generations.

5 Interesting Facts about Rabindranath Tagore

1. Rabindranath Tagore wrote the national anthems for two countries: India (“Jana Gana Mana”) and Bangladesh (“Amar Shonar Bangla”).

2. He was knighted by the British government in 1915 but renounced his knighthood in 1919 in protest against the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

3. Tagore was a prolific painter and started painting in his sixties, showcasing his work in exhibits across Europe and Asia.

4. He introduced new prose and verse forms and the use of colloquial language into Bengali literature, thereby freeing it from traditional models based on classical Sanskrit.

5. Tagore was a close friend of Mahatma Gandhi, who gave him the title of “Mahatma,” and the two shared a deep respect for each other despite their differing philosophies.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Rabindranath Tagore

1. “You can’t cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.”

2. “Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark.”

3. “Let your life lightly dance on the edges of Time like dew on the tip of a leaf.”

4. “The highest education is that which does not merely give us information but makes our life in harmony with all existence.”

5. “Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high; Where knowledge is free.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

As an early 20th-century figure, Rabindranath Tagore’s financial worth cannot be easily quantified in contemporary terms. However, he was born into a wealthy family and his work brought him substantial royalties and accolades.

Children

Rabindranath Tagore had five children with his wife Mrinalini Devi: 1. Rathindranath Tagore (son) 2. Renuka Tagore (daughter) 3. Madhurilata Tagore (daughter) 4. Mira Tagore (daughter) 5. Shamindranath Tagore (son)