Tagore, Rabindranath, 1861-1941

Rabindranath Thakur, commonly known as Rabindranath Tagore, was born on May 7, 1861, into a wealthy and culturally influential family in Calcutta, India.

He was a Bengali Nobel laureate and a polymath who made significant contributions as a poet, writer, playwright, composer, philosopher, social reformer, and painter during the Bengal Renaissance. Tagore is recognized for introducing new prose and verse forms, as well as the use of colloquial language in Bengali literature, thus liberating it from the constraints of classical Sanskrit norms. Additionally, he played a vital role in bridging Indian and Western cultures, enriching both through his diverse contributions.

Tagore received a varied education, including homeschooling and attending several schools, one of which was University College London, where he studied law. He returned to India after expressing dissatisfaction with the limitations of Western educational methods in England. He is best known for his poetry, particularly his collection "Gitanjali" (Song Offerings), which earned him the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913, making him the first lyricist to receive this honour. In addition to poetry, he wrote novels, short stories, plays, essays, memoirs, and criticism. Tagore was also a prolific composer of songs known as "Rabindra Sangeet," many of which remain popular today. His other notable works include "Sonar Tari" (The Golden Boat) and "Manasi" (The Ideal One). Throughout his lifetime, he produced over 2,500 paintings and sketches.

In 1883, Tagore married Mrinalini Devi (1874-1902), and the couple had five children. He passed away on August 7, 1941, in Calcutta, India.