Rabindranath Tagore or Gurudev, as he was fondly called is the sole reason why most of us still believe in imbibing the magnificence of literature, music and poetry. A pioneer who subtly broke the conventional style and traditional models of writing, Tagore's style effortlessly travelled to the West. This Nobel Prize winner, who would have turned 158 today, is coveted to have refurbished the landscape of Bengali literature.
His writings have a charm of their own. They were fresh, sensitive, spiritual and elegant, all at the same. Some of the most popular movie adaptations include Kabuliwala, Charulata, Natir Puja (a Bengali film directed by Tagore himself in 1932) and Chokher Bali.
Tagore's romance with literature and poetry began when he was just 8 years old and at 16, he showcased his first substantial poems. When he turned 20, he penned down his first drama-opera: Valmiki Pratibha (The Genius of Valmiki). Dak Ghar (The Post Office), Raja, Chitrangada and Muktadhara are amongst his famous dramas. His dramas were vividly diversified; some were emotional, some were simple while some were intellectual.
While most of us would have explored his exemplary pieces through Rabindrasangeet, dramas or film adaptations, but maybe just a handful would have actually experienced or perceived his intricate poetic style.
For those who have would know how simple, meaningful, relevant and timeless his verses are. For the rest of Gurudev's fans, we bring you some amazing lines by this literary genius.
Confusing what is real
Yet suddenly in some wordless
music the dim memory wakes up
and the beast gazes into the man's
face with a tender trust, and the
man looks down into its eyes with
amused affection.
It seems that the two friends meet
masked, and vaguely know each other
through the disguise.
Defining life and death
Let life be beautiful like summer flowers
and death like autumn leaves.
Understanding spirituality
In death the many becomes one;
in life the one becomes many.
Religion will be one
when God is dead.
Essence of living
Let your life lightly dance on the
edges of Time like dew on the tip of
a leaf.
Finding greatness in humanity
We come nearest to the great
when we are great in humility.
It's all about love
Life finds its wealth by the claims of the world,
and its worth by the claims of love.
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