Rabindranath Tagore

Born:

7 May 1861 (25 Boishakh 1268 Bengali calendar), Jorasanko mansion, Calcutta, British India

Died:

7 August 1941 (22 শ্রাবণ 1348 Bengali calendar), Jorasanko, Calcutta, British India

Nationality:

Indian

Profession(s):

Poet, writer, playwright, composer, philosopher, social reformer, painter

Early Life and Education

• Born into a prominent Bengali Brahmin family.
• Largely self-educated; disliked conventional schooling.
• Travelled to England in 1878 to study law but returned without a degree.

Career and Major Achievements

• Began writing poetry at a young age, with an identifiable poetic style developed early. Exploring the question of what constituted the 'first song written by Rabindranath Tagore biography' demonstrates the early flowering of his genius.
• Founded Visva-Bharati University in 1921, promoting a blend of Eastern and Western educational philosophies.
• Traveled extensively, lecturing and promoting his ideas on education and social reform.
• Knighted in 1915, but renounced it in 1919 in protest of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

Notable Works

• Gitanjali (Song Offerings): Collection of poems for which he won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913.
• Ghare Baire (The Home and the World): A novel exploring themes of nationalism, love, and cultural identity.
• Kabuliwala: A short story known for its poignant portrayal of human connection.
• Jana Gana Mana: The national anthem of India.
• Amar Shonar Bangla: The national anthem of Bangladesh.
• Numerous poems, plays, essays, and songs.

Legacy and Impact

Rabindranath Tagore's multifaceted contributions to literature, music, and education have left an indelible mark on Indian and world culture. His works continue to be studied and celebrated for their lyrical beauty, philosophical depth, and social commentary.

Awards and Recognition

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