Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti 2024: Rabindra Jayanti also called Poncheeshe Boishakh in Kolkata commemorates the birthday of the renowned Bengali poet, scholar, novelist, playwright, humanist, philosopher, and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. In 2024 nation going to celebrate the 163rd birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore. As the special day is approaching letĄ¯s understand more about the event.
Rabindranath Tagore, born on May 7th, 1861, in Jorasanko Thakurbai, Kolkata, was a renowned Bengali poet and writer. He hailed from an affluent family, being the youngest member. Tagore, often referred to as the Bard of Bengal or Gurudev, had a profound desire for exploration.
His contributions to art and literature are unparalleled, both in Bengal and English literature. In 1913, he achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first non-European to receive the Nobel Prize for his poetry collection, "Gitanjali."
Tagore was not only a poet and writer but also an influential artist and musician. He composed approximately 2,230 songs, painted 3,000 paintings, and even penned the national anthems of India "Jana Gana Mana", Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Additionally, he founded Viswa Bharti University, formerly known as Shantiniketan.
Rabindranath Tagore was born to parents Debendranath Tagore and Sarada Deviwas on May 7th, 1861, in Kolkata according to the English calendar. He was a versatile figure from Bengal who greatly influenced Bengali literature, music, and Indian art through modernism.
In the Bengali calendar, he was born on the 25th day of the Boishakh month, in the year 1422 of the Bengali Era. In West Bengal, Rabindranath Tagore's anniversary is observed according to the local Bengali calendar. The date of Boishakh 25th usually falls on either May 8th or May 9th in the Gregorian calendar. This year it falls on Wednesday, May 8th. However, in other states, Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti is celebrated on May 7th, following the Gregorian calendar.
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Rabindra Jayanti is celebrated with grandeur across different parts of West Bengal. Cultural events showcasing Tagore's works take place in schools, universities, and local communities. These events feature dances, dramas, songs, and recitals inspired by Rabindra Sangeet. Even foreign students at Visva-Bharati University join in these celebrations. Special events are held at Jora Sanko Thakur Bari, Rabindranath's birthplace.
School and college functions honouring Rabindranath's contributions are common. Children often recite his poems, sing his songs, or perform plays based on his literary works.
In addition to organised celebrations, many households in Bengal play Rabindranath's songs from morning till evening as part of the festivities.
He died on August 7, 1941, in Calcutta now called Kolkata at the age of 80. He suffered from severe uraemia and a blocked urinary bladder. Despite his reluctance, Dr. Jyotiprakash Sarkar and Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy recommended surgery, which took place on July 30, 1941. Unfortunately, complications arising from the surgery ultimately led to his demise a week later.
Tagore experienced early success as a writer in Bengal, and his fame quickly spread to the West through translations of his poems. He became renowned worldwide, travelling across continents for lecture tours and fostering friendships. He emerged as a voice for India's spiritual heritage globally and as a revered figure in Bengal, where he was seen as a living institution.
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Primarily known as a poet, Tagore authored over fifty volumes of poetry, including works like 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; and in spite of its title, Gitanjali: Song Offerings (1912), the most acclaimed of them, contains poems from other works besides its namesake. TagoreĄ¯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 a number of novels, among them Gora (1910), Ghare-Baire (1916) [The Home and the World], and Yogayog (1929) [Crosscurrents], and two autobiographies. Additionally, Tagore was an accomplished artist, leaving behind drawings, paintings, and songs for which he composed the music himself.
Q. What is Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti and why do we celebrate it?
Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti is an annual celebration of the birthday of Rabindranath Tagore, a famous Indian poet and cultural figure. It's observed on May 7th each year to honor Tagore's contributions to literature, music, and art, as well as his role in India's independence movement.
Q. How do we celebrate Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti in India?
Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti is celebrated with cultural events like poetry readings, musical performances of Tagore's songs (Rabindra Sangeet), dance dramas, and art exhibitions featuring his work. Schools, colleges, and cultural institutions often hold special programs to honor Tagore.
Q. What are some famous works of Rabindranath Tagore?
Rabindranath Tagore wrote many famous poems, novels, short stories, and songs. Some well-known works include "Gitanjali" (Song Offerings), "Kabuliwala," "Gora," "The Home and the World," and his collection of songs known as "Rabindra Sangeet."
Q. Why is Rabindranath Tagore considered a cultural icon?
Rabindranath Tagore is seen as a cultural icon because of his significant contributions to literature, music, art, and social reform. He was the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913, and his writings continue to inspire people with their themes of love, nature, and humanity.
Q. What is the importance of Rabindranath Tagore's legacy today?
Rabindranath Tagore's legacy remains important today because his ideas of peace, harmony, and cultural diversity still resonate. His poetry and music are an essential part of Indian culture, and his writings on education and nationalism are relevant in today's world. Tagore's influence goes beyond literature, shaping modern India's values and promoting cultural exchange globally.
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