LITERATURE and POLITICAL AWARENESS
RABINDRANATH TAGORE
(1861 - 1941)
Rabindranath Tagore, a Bengali polymath, author of India's national anthem, and the first non-European to win Nobel prize in Literature wrote novels, songs, stories, dance-dramas, and essays on diverse topics such as politics, Indian history, science, travelogue, linguistics and spirituality. This literary giant was born into a prominent Bengali Brahmin family in Calcutta in 1861. As a poet, Tagore believed that the pen was mightier than a sword, and he inspired and greatly influenced his countrymen through his poetry and literary works. He was deeply disturbed by the violence and tensions between the Hindus and the Muslims and the injustices inflicted on the women. He documented the adversities with British Imperialism which helped put international pressure on the British.
Tagore was ahead of his time and his views differed from most of the freedom fighters of his time. Even though he supported the Indian Independence Movement and had a close relationship with Gandhi, he disagreed with Gandhiji on several issues including the 'Swadeshi movement' and the non-cooperation movement. Gandhiji believed that education can be acquired through practical work and hoped that spinning wheel on a daily basis will help achieve self-sufficiency and independence. Tagore believed that "the widest road leading to the solution of all our problems is education." His vision of formal education emphasized on intellectual, social, physical, moral, economical and spiritual aspects of human life along with music, dance, drama, art and literature. Tagore helped build the educational infrastructure of India and founded Visva-Bharathi, which became one of India's most renowned universities for higher education.
Tagore also campaigned for women's emancipation and his legacy lies in the freedom-seeking women of his fiction.
Tagore was ahead of his time and his views differed from most of the freedom fighters of his time. Even though he supported the Indian Independence Movement and had a close relationship with Gandhi, he disagreed with Gandhiji on several issues including the 'Swadeshi movement' and the non-cooperation movement. Gandhiji believed that education can be acquired through practical work and hoped that spinning wheel on a daily basis will help achieve self-sufficiency and independence. Tagore believed that "the widest road leading to the solution of all our problems is education." His vision of formal education emphasized on intellectual, social, physical, moral, economical and spiritual aspects of human life along with music, dance, drama, art and literature. Tagore helped build the educational infrastructure of India and founded Visva-Bharathi, which became one of India's most renowned universities for higher education.
Tagore also campaigned for women's emancipation and his legacy lies in the freedom-seeking women of his fiction.