34)Rabindranath Tagore (Robindronath Thakur – in Bengali) ; Contributors to Society: Renaissance of Bengali culture , Art, literature, poetry and music

Rabindranath Tagore (Robindronath Thakur – in Bengali) ;

Contributors to Society: Renaissance of Bengali culture , Art, literature, poetry and music

(7^th May 1861 to 7^th August 1941)

He was born on 7^th May 1861 in a Zamindar’s family (literal translation – Land-lord) and had his early education at home. He had an active interest in reading biographies, history, astronomy, modern science, Sanskrit and poets like Kalidas in addition to an attraction towards literary activities. His early writings/works found some recognition in Calcutta (present day Kolkata) and, then, in his native state of Bengal; Although he was a poet at heart from childhood, he published his poems, short stories and dramas under the pseudonym “Bhanushingho” (“Sun Lion” – perhaps meaning that his work will show the “light” of knowledge and inspiration  and, that,  he would pen his words/works “fearlessly” like a Lion) only at the  age of sixteen , in a friend’s magazine and even performed in some of his own plays.

 

At the age of 17, he was sent to England to study Law, but did not finish his studies there and returned to India without a degree.  But, he did have an exposure to English culture and language which he integrated with his deep insight of Bengali literature, culture and music, which enabled him to create new genres/fusion of poetry and music and drama. He, thus, moved away from the rigid classical forms of Bengali Literature and his works, writings and music give the reader a sense of the “magical” and “spiritual".His poetry is in the same breath addressed to the divine as well as the beloved.

Later while managing his family estates and villages, as “Zamindar Babu” (literal translation – “Land-Lord sahib”), his insight into human nature and deep involvement /interest in social reforms got sharpened, while collecting “token rents” from the villagers.  Several of his works including “Galpaguchchha” (A Bouquet of stories) were written during this period which were inspired by the villager’s lifestyles and traditions.

 International Recognition:

He was launched on the International platform much later, when some of his poems were translated into English, leading to acclaim in the literary Circles. While on a sea voyage to England for a second time in 1912, at the age of 51, he translated his latest selection of poems “Gitanjali” into English, mainly to while away the time on the long sea voyage. The English version was read by his friend Rosenstein, who in turn took it to Y.B.Yeats and the poetry was published for the first time in English in September 1912 and was an instant literary success. A vision of mysticism and beauty was revealed to the West for the first time. His writings put Indian heritage and culture on an International platform, but for Bengalis he became a living institution in his lifetime and afterwards a legend of whom they are extremely proud of.

The work was instantly honoured with the Nobel Prize in 1913, making him the first person from outside the Western World to be bestowed the Nobel Prize for Literature. After his success with Gitanjali, he translated several other works into English.

His works:

 He composed more than 2000 songs with lyrics. He is credited with penning the National anthems of both India (Jana Gana Mana) and Bangla Desh (Amar Shonar Bangla). One may well enquire, that it is very well to pen India’s National Anthem, but, why Bangla Desh? This is because his family’s vast estates were there in Shilaidaha, which is now a part of Bangla Desh. His paintings are found in museums in India, even today.

He was truly a renaissance writer of Bengali literature and culture, of which the world had a glimpse through his English translations. His works spanned the whole diaspora of literary genres  and several musical dramas, dance dramas, essays, travel  diaries, and two autobiographies , drawings ,paintings and songs are his enduring legacy to humanity that he left behind.

 He is credited with writing more than 1000 poems, eight volumes of short stories, two dozen plays, 8 novels, several books and essays on philosophy, religion, education and social topics.

Some of his more popular works are:

Poetry - Manasi (The Ideal one), Sonar Tari (The Golden Boat), Gitanjali (An offering of songs or Song offerings), Gitmalya (Garland of songs) and Balaka (Cranes).   His poetry which was translated into English included, The Gardener, Fruit-Gathering and The Fugitive. 

His major plays are Raja (The King), Dakghar (The Post Office), Achalayatan (The immovable), Muktadhara (The free Waterfall) and Raktakarobi (Red or blood coloured Oleanders). 

Several novels are to his credit, including Gora (fair-faced) and Ghare-Baire (The home and the outside surroundings or the World).

His vision of an Indian society based on multi-culturism:

Like all the young Indians of his time, he participated in the Indian Freedom movement, but in a non-sentimental way. He was a friend of Mahatma Gandhi but mostly stayed out of politics. Gandhi coined the title "Gurudev" for him and used to address him as such, while Tagore adressed Gandhi as "Mahatma" . Both these titles and modes of appellation have stuck to them ever since. Exposed to the Western World as well as a traditional religious upbringing in Bengal, he embraced the best of both worlds from his experiences.  Having experienced “the best of both the Worlds” he wanted all his countrymen to share the benefits of such an experience. As such, he was not in favour of outright “Nationalism” or “militancy” and stood for an amalgamation of cultures and for creating a world order/culture based on multi-culturalism and tolerance and peaceful co-existence. 

Based on his vision, he started an Ashram in 1901, and later a College called “Vishwa Bharati” (Literal translation – “Global Indian” or “Communion of the World with India”) at Shantiniketan in 1921 (with the proceeds of the Nobel Prize which he had received in 1913) where education was provided as per Upanishadic ideals, a legacy of the Brahmo Samaj, of which his father was a senior member, blended with his concept of multi-culturalism and tolerance. The College had as its motto “Yatra Visvam Bhavatyekanidam” (Where the World makes a home in a single nest).

He travelled widely across the World visiting 5 continents and over 30 countries, where he made friends for life . During one of these travels, there is a poignant moment among others, where he is holding Helen Keller's hand and reciting to her, his poetry. He also,  received generous contributions for Viswa Bharati from several countries and donors. Wherever he went, he took down diary notes on the cultures he was experiencing and profound religious sayings and works of renowned mystics. He was also a friend of the Indian physicist, J.C.Bose and Albert Einstein and H.G.Wells with whom he could debate on equal terms on the emerging principles of physics as well as literature.

In 1951, after India gained Independence, the Government of India converted Viswa Bharati into a University and it exists even today as such.

 Awards:

He passed away on 7^th August 1941 in a room of his family mansion Jorasanko, where he grew up, at the age of 80, after a prolonged illness. His poetry during this phase of his life was a contemplation on the subject of death and leaves a lasting impression on its readers for its sheer brilliance. Till the very end, he was devoted to adding his contribution to Bengali poetry. He dictated a poem to the last person to visit him, because he himself could not write because of his weak health.

He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913.  He was knighted in 1915 by George V a title which he renounced in 1919 following the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar of peaceful Indian demonstrators by British troops.

In 1940, he was conferred upon an honorary doctorate by Oxford University.

 As my wife is a Bengali, I have had occasion to imbibe a bit of Bengali tradition and culture, though I must confess, that, while, I can understand a smattering of Bengali, I am a very poor student of languages and have not been able to speak Bengali at all. Nevertheless, I have attended several cultural programmes and there is no Bengali programme conducted anywhere in the World, I believe, where either the main theme or derivation is not from some work or the other penned by Tagore. I remember that in one such cultural programme conducted at Bal Gandharva Auditorium, in Pune (India), a very elderly Bengali Theatre goer was sitting next to me and we were watching a Tagore dance drama and till the interval, he was dozing off against my shoulder. In the interval he apologized and shared with me that although he had seen the play several times since he was a child, he wouldn’t miss a single rendering of Tagore’s works, whenever he hears of a performance/programme.

Even today (07.08.2011), we are going to attend a cultural programme  organized on Tagore’s death anniversary which is centred around what he once said “ Death is not extinguishing the light , it is only putting out the lamp because the dawn has come”.   

When Tagore passed away, a million dawns had indeed broken and his work and vision is as much alive today, perhaps more so, than what he had envisioned during his lifetime.

 The Reserve Bank of India, to commemorate the 150^th Anniversary of his birth, has brought out a five rupee cupro-nickel coin in 2010 for general circulation. 

The obverse of the coin has the Lion Capital in the centre together with the words “Satyameva Jayate “ (Truth always Prevails) which together forn the emblem/Coat of Arms of India.The numeral “5” denoting the denomination of the coin is below the emblem. On the left periphery are the words “Bharat” and “Rupiye” in Hindi and on the right periphery are the words “India” and “Rupees” in English.

On the reverse of the coin is a portrait/image of Rabindranath Tagore with the words “Rabindranath Tagore  150vin jayanti “ in Hindi and “Rabindranath Tagore and 150 Birth Anniversary” in English. The years 1861-2011 are mentioned indicating the year of his birth and the year of his 150^th Birth Anniversary. This coin was minted at Kolkata mint. Notice that there is no mint mark, which is indicative of a Kolkata mint issue.

The Posts and Telegraph Department, India has also issued two stamps on the occasion of Tagore’s 150^th birth Anniversary in 2011. I am placing these, too, on this post for viewing.

The above is a sketch of Rabindranath Tagore by Sumita.

Posted on 15.11.11

I have received a Commemorative coin set today from the Kolkata mint  showing a 150 rupee coin and a 5-rupee coin (Proof set) images of which I am showing below:

The beautiful depiction of one of his poems in his own hand in Bengali is on the left side and the obverse of the two coins is on the right hand side.

The reverse of the above coin set (Proof set) showing his portrait on the two coins as well as his picture from the period when he was young.

The specifications of this coin are as under:

150 rupee coin:

Shape and outer Diameter : Circular ; 44 mm.

No. of serrations : 200

Weight :              35 gms

Composition:        Quaternary Alloy (silver 50%,Copper 40%, Nickel and      Zinc 5% each)

5 rupee coin:

Shape and outer Diameter: Circular; 23mm.

Weight : 6 gms.

Composition: Nickel Brass (Copper 75%, Zinc 20%, Nickel 5%).

The cost for booking this Proof coin set with the Kolkata mint was Rs.3800/- (plus Credit Card Payment Gateway charges).

Posted on 09.05.2017: 

Shri Ramesh Ramchandra (twitter handle @Don Toxique)an eminent Philatelist has sent me the following two images of First Day Covers (FDCs) issued on Rabindranath Tagore's birth Anniversaries. These FDC/stamps are a collector's delight:

This Stamp issued in 1952, is of the denomination of 12 Annas and is of Dark Brown Colour. It shows a front facing portrait of Tagore and bears one of his evergreen verses:
Thou hast made me known,
to friends whom I knew not.
Thou hast given me seats,
 in homes not my own.
Thou hast brought the distant near,
and made a brother of the stranger.

 The above First Day Cover (FDC) was issued on 07.05.1961 on the Centenary of Tagore's birth. It bears a special stamp released on this day of the then "princely" sum of 15 nP (Naye Paise) along with the earlier stamp of 12 annas, shown above. The CAncellation Hand-stamp is of Bangalore GPO and bears the inscription "Tagore centenary". In the centre is an open book place as a tribute to Tagore's alround contribution to Bengali poetry, Literature, songs and the fine arts.