Today is the birthday of Rabindranath Tagore. Rabindranath was a poet, novelist, musician, painter and playwright. A short version of his biography can be viewed from the following link:
2. Official Website of the Nobel Prize
Rabindranath was strongly involved in social and political activities. His kin friendship with Gandhi vs strong criticism of the Gandhian idea of Charka based village economy revival, meeting with Benito Mussolini and subsequent criticism of his policy, thirsty welcoming of western knowledge and praising of the queen of Britain vs bold decline of Knighthood was indicator of his complex political view.
Establishing a parallel education system, taking monetary help from friends like Maharaja of Tripura, wife Mrinalini Devi and later donating entire royalty and prize money, is a land mark contribution in the history of education during British regime. Another Indian followed a similar path that has been paved by Rammohon Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Mahatma and Savitribai Phule and others.
Rabindranath traveled more than 30 countries in five continents. His travel to various parts of the globe and meeting with people of other nationality sharpened his view of internationalism. Later he remarked that narrow patriotism is detrimental for internationalism. During his life time he had witnessed two world wars and several political upheaval in Indian political arena. His complex political view resulted suspicions towards him and his work.
His educational view is respected and taken as model in some countries, however, we are still grappling with his idea. One possible reason would be most of his works are not adequately translated in other Indian languages and confined as artistic or poetic work. As a consequence his philosophical, political, and educational philosophy and views are either underestimated or overlooked. One possible solution would be those who are well versed with his work and his philosophy can take active part to communicate his work to wider population.
Recently Government of West Bengal has brought out the e-version of Rabindranath’s writing. Kindly click here to visit the site.
In this birthday, as a symbol of tribute, I have developed a quiz on him. Please read the questions and answer them by clicking “Take Our Quiz!” below.
Take Our Quiz!I hope in this process you will know something about him and will be inspired to know something more. I will post the answers as soon as I will get considerable number of responses.
Acknowledgements: I thank Damayanti Karade for initiating nice discussion on whether Rabindranath was a pragmatist (that I mentioned in earlier version). In this version I have omitted this sentence. I also thank Pritibhajan Byakti, for introducing me with the Website developed by Government of West Bengal on Tagore and others works.
PACIFIC 
I think one of the options in one of the questions was wrong,
In the question asking about Tagore’s political involvements, the last option should be none of the above, or change the question to “which political movements was Tagore involved in?”, as Tagore was actually involved in all the movements mentioned in the first three options.
I agree with what you have pointed out. I made a change in that. Thank you for your comment.
I think Rabindranath was a Naturalist, and not a pragmatist, he believed that a child should learn in his natural surroundings and it should not be forced on him. He should be taught when he feels the need to learn (to read, write etc.)and not when parents or the society feels.
Pragmatism is something which was introduced by Charles S. Peirce, followed by John Dewey etc. It is completely different from Naturalism.
The link posted in Facebook liked by following people:
1. Shubhra Mishra
2. Bidisha Chakraborty
3. Jeeni Rahaman
4. Shweta Naik
5. Avijit Deb
6. Anil Kumar Sankhwar
7. मि. म. देशमुख
8. Shilpa Mishra
The comments appeared in Facebook is as follows:
Saurav Shome Thanks Anil.
May 9, 2011 at 7:42pm
PD I dont like him…just few of his songs are good enough for me to digest him…
May 9, 2011 at 8:22pm
BC people are least interested to know whether PD likes Rabindranath tagore or not……..ur digestive system must be strong enough to digest him…….to digest his writings u must hv dat level of thinking n knowledge………
May 11, 2011 at 10:06am
Saurav Shome Dear P I think you have your own justification and emotional attachments for not liking Rabindranath. On the other hand, Bidisha I understand why you think why Rabindranth was so great.
However, assessing a great personality is always difficult due to several reasons. Once you are great everything will support you. And it is usually observed that we do not have access of many information. A great literary person is not necessarily a god family member for her wife or children. A humanitarian writer will not necessarily be a humanitarian in his home. Writing about fraternity and preaching fraternity is different altogether.
Rabindranath’s complex political view was certainly a questionable matter. Rabindranath was born in a vibrant family and constructed his own world view which was debated in many forum. His educational philosophy was profound but differed with Gandhi in many aspect.
Last point we need to read more and more about Rabindranath to discuss about him. There would be disagreements but that is always welcome. Progress without conflict is next to impossible.
May 11, 2011 at 1:19pm
PD @B for your kind information…dont deliver any statement before knowing anybody. I have put that statement keeping my knowledge in mind and not just like dust in the air. I have more than require evidence to proclaim my above sentence. And I had never put any comment on your wall that you come and name in such a way. You better oil your own machine.
May 11, 2011 at 1:24pm
Saurav Shome I am taking the entire responsibility of creating such situation. I am very sorry.
May 11, 2011 at 1:40pm
PD Saurav Shome why do you dude…May be I was not right to put such comment in the begining itself…Actually we can discuss on topic but shouldn’t throw stones on a unknown participators. Whatever…forget it…its just a discussion not an WAR!
May 11, 2011 at 1:42pm · Unlike · 1
Saurav Shome Ok thanks. I will write something more and then we will again discuss.
May 11, 2011 at 1:57pm
Anirban Bhattacharya From childhood we are exposed too much to Tagore’s writings/songs without realising their proper meaning. Maybe we carry on that feeling of incomplete understanding. If revisited now, his writings do not disappoint. Much of his prose writings need to be seen through the prism of last century. But novels like Shesher kobita, Gora, Ghore baire are great reads and relevent even today. Suggest re-reading of shesher kobita.
May 11, 2011 at 5:34pm · Unlike · 1
Saurav Shome Thank you for your suggestions. We can initiate discussion on the readings.
May 11, 2011 at 5:40pm
PD http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bo51RpX7Z_4
May 11, 2011 at 5:41pm · Unlike · 1
BC @P………… I dnt need ur suggestion…..everybody hv right to speak…….u should think before commenting…….u better mind ur own business okk…………..
May 11, 2011 at 7:28pm
Pallab Deb Rabindranath will remain relevant after another hundred years… the WHOLE WORLD thinks about his great creations regularly.
May 12, 2011 at 12:19pm
Saurav Shome Pallab, you are saying quite correct but at the same time we should be careful enough to prevent us to fall into the trap of strong fanaticism.
The writing of Rabindranath is huge. Naturally we do not have scope to read everything and we are always given the best piece of writing. So, we might think that he always wrote wonderful writings.
On the other hand without denying his great literary contribution one can subscribe the view that Rabindranath’s idea is not acceptable or even writings are not relevant. Point is, what kind of world view they have. It is quite consistent to say that Rabindranath is not relevant when some one believe that education should be integrated with the economy and self sufficiency but not to aim at the manifestation of creativity of human mind.
Some people like to avoid entering into the private life of great (?) personalities. However, some feel that the credibility of their writing should be validated from their personal life.
Rabindranath’s own stance towards various political situation and personality was controversial. He was even named as “bourgeois poet”. The Gandhian revival of Indian economy would have been a reality, however, the strong opposition from Rabindranath deterred it.
May 12, 2011 at 10:34pm
Manas Mondal
Hail Rabindranath….but what about some new? It looks like you are stuck there.Lets others give a chance !!!!!!!!
May 14, 2011 at 3:55am · Unlike · 1
Pallab Deb saurav thank you for your valuable suggestion, but if you are famous , then controversies shall indeed follow you.its true for Rabindranath too….
May 14, 2011 at 8:08am
Saurav Shome @Manas Sorry I am not getting.
May 14, 2011 at 12:25pm · Like
Saurav Shome @Pallab thanks for saying thanks. But, I am “controversies” issues.
May 14, 2011 at 12:31pm · Like
Manas Mondal
I am asking you people to look post Rabindranath era…..just don’t stuck your-self there.It is irrelevant whether he is relevant now or not.Though all great writers are great because they become relevant in days yet to come.
May 14, 2011 at 1:20pm · Like
Saurav Shome Ok, ok. Thank you very much Manas.
May 14, 2011 at 1:21pm
Manas Mondal
You are welcome Souravda.
May 14, 2011 at 1:22pm · Unlike · 1