Rabindranath Tagore Birth Anniversary: Remembering Him On His 159th Birthday

Today May 7, marks the 159th birth anniversary of India¡¯s first Nobel Award winner Rabindranath Tagore. One of this most famous works is the Indian National Anthem. He was also known as Gurudev, Kabiguru and Biswakabi and culturally known as ¡°the Bard of Bengal¡±. From his beautiful poetry collection to short stories and paintings, Tagore made the Indian literature profound and impressive.

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As the nation remembers ¡®Gurudev¡¯ on his birth anniversary, here are some facts about him:

1. Not just India he has composed National Anthems of 3 nations

Did you know this, this literary icon is the father of national anthems of three nations of India sub-continent? From India¡¯s ¡®Jan Gan Man¡¯ to Bangladesh¡¯s ¡®Amar Sona Bangla¡¯, Sri Lanka¡¯s national anthem is also based on Tagore's poem. It is said that Tagore¡¯s Bangla poem was translated in Sinhalese and adopted as the national anthem in 1951.

2. Friendship with Albert Einstein

Tagore and Einstein met four times between the period of 1931 and 1932. The two shared some common interests of music and a general curiosity for things. While describing Einstein, Tagore wrote, ¡°There was nothing stiff about him - there was no intellectual aloofness. He seemed to be a man who valued human relationships and he showed me a real interest and understanding.¡±

3. Tagore¡¯s wanderlust

Tagore traveled to over 30 countries on five continents in a little over five decades in the late 19th century and the early 20 century. The more he traveled to different countries the more he was attracted to the concept of internationalism.

4. While conferring the title of ¡®Mahatma¡¯ to the father of the nation

The special bond shared between Gandhi ji and Tagore is a well known fact. However, not a lot of people knew that it was Tagore who conferred the title ¡®Mahatma¡¯ on the father of the nation.

5. The lover of music

From his iconic work in literature, Tagore was also a well known expert in music. He himself wrote around 2,000 songs which are now named as ¡®Rabindra Sangeet¡¯. Some of them are inspired by his love for travel.

Some of Rabindranath Tagore literary works that are cherished even today include

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1. Gitanjali

This book was published in 1910 and has a beautiful collection of poems of life, love and divine. Rabindranath Tagore got a Nobel Prize for Gitanjali.

2. The Home and the World - Ghare Baire

This book revolves around three individuals and their struggle. It has an autobiographical element in it and has Swadeshi movement as a background.

3. Gora

One of the longest and most complicated of the 12 novels the Rabindranath Tagore wrote in his time. The stories reflect the mirror reflection of the social, political and religious scene which somehow seem relatable to the times we are living in.

4. Chokher Bali

Chokher Bali or A Grain of Sand is a story about an extramarital affair. It depicts the complexity of relationships at its best.

5. Kabuliwala

This is a touching story about an Afghani vendor who comes to Calcutta to earn and form an emotional bond with the daughter of the narrator.

6. Shesher Kabita

It was released in a magazine called Probashi before getting published in 1928. It is an epic love saga that portrays the platonic love of a mature couple.

7. Nastanirh- The Broken Nest

Yet another book that demonstrates the extraordinary ability of the writer, he showcases the complexities of relationships. It narrates the story of patriarchal times.

Quotes by Rabindranath Tagore:

1. Gray hairs are signs of wisdom if you hold your tongue, speak and they are but hairs, as in the young.

2. A mind all logic is like a knife all blade. It makes the hand bleed that uses it.

3. In Art, man reveals himself and not his objects.

4. Death is not extinguishing the light; it is only putting out the lamp because the dawn has come.

5. If I can¡¯t make it through one door, I¡¯ll go through another door- or I¡¯ll make a door. Something terrific will come no matter how dark the present.

6. I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.

7. Patriotism cannot be our final spiritual shelter; my refuge is humanity. I will not buy glass for the price of diamonds, and I will never allow patriotism to triumph over humanity as long as I live.