G.

FOWZUL SAHANA
III BA English
Dr. Umayal Ramanathan College for Women
FACES OF INDIA
RABINDRANATH TAGORE AS AN ICONIC FACE OF INDIA
Rabindranath Tagore is a name known across the world. He was a poet, philosopher, and
artist from India. He became a symbol of India’s cultural identity and pride. Tagore was the
first Asian to win the Nobel Prize. He received it for Literature in 1913 for his work
Gitanjali. This made him a global icon of Indian thought. He gave India its first voice on the
world stage.
Tagore was born on 7 May 1861 in Kolkata. His family was wealthy and deeply artistic. His
father was Debendranath Tagore, a great thinker. His home was full of music, literature, and
discussions. From a young age, Tagore showed deep interest in writing. He started writing
poems when he was eight. His creativity bloomed early and stayed all his life.
He did not like the rigid school system. So, his father sent him to study in England. He
studied law in London but did not complete his degree. Western education opened new doors
for him. But his heart remained rooted in Indian traditions. He blended both Eastern and
Western cultures in his works. This made his writings unique and powerful.
Tagore was not just a poet. He was a novelist, short story writer, essayist, painter, and
musician. He composed over 2000 songs in Bengali. His songs are called Rabindra Sangeet
in Bengal. They are full of deep emotions and spiritual beauty. Two of his songs became
national anthems. India’s “Jana Gana Mana” and Bangladesh’s “Amar Shonar Bangla” were
written by him.
Tagore believed in unity, peace, and human dignity. He stood against the British colonial rule
in India. But he did not support violence in any form. He returned his Knighthood in 1919.
This was to protest against the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. His act was bold and full of moral
strength. It inspired many Indians in the freedom movement.
One of his best-known works is Gitanjali. It is a collection of spiritual poems. It speaks of the
soul’s journey toward the divine. The English version brought him international fame. W. B.
Yeats, the Irish poet, helped publish the book. Gitanjali remains a literary treasure across the
world.
Tagore was a global citizen. He travelled widely across Asia, Europe, and America. He met
many world leaders and thinkers. Among them were Einstein, Mussolini, Gandhi, and
Romain Rolland. He believed in dialogue between nations and cultures. He spoke about
peace, love, and understanding. His voice carried India’s values to the world.
In his lifetime, he faced criticism too. Some thought he was too idealistic. Others said he was
too Westernized. But he remained true to his vision. He believed in self-expression and
creative freedom. He did not follow trends but created his own path.
Tagore’s influence went beyond literature. He reshaped Bengali music and art. He brought
freshness to language and thought. He made people reflect on life, beauty, and truth. He was a
reformer who respected tradition. But he also challenged outdated beliefs and customs.
He spoke against narrow nationalism. He wanted people to love their country but also
humanity. He said, “Patriotism cannot be our final spiritual shelter.” For him, love for
mankind was the highest form. This made his ideas timeless and global.
Tagore also painted in his later life. He started painting at the age of sixty. His artworks were
full of bold lines and vivid forms. They had a primitive charm and deep emotion. His art
broke away from formal rules. It reflected his inner freedom and creative energy.
He died on 7 August 1941 in Kolkata. But his legacy lives on in every corner of India.
Schools, songs, plays, and poems keep his spirit alive. His writings are taught in classrooms
and quoted in speeches. His songs are sung in festivals and daily life.
For India, Tagore is more than a writer. He is a face of Indian identity. His words helped
shape modern Indian thought. His life was a mix of East and West. His works blended old
wisdom with new ideas. He gave Indians the courage to dream.
He continues to inspire generations of writers and artists. His vision of education guides
many teachers. His ideals of peace touch global movements. His poems speak to people of all
ages. His art finds a place in global museums.
Tagore once said, “Let your life lightly dance on the edges of time.” His own life was such a
dance. A dance of mind, spirit, and creativity. A dance that brought India closer to the world.
A dance that lives on in every Indian heart.
Tagore’s Voice in the Indian Freedom Movement
Tagore’s role in India’s freedom movement was deep and moral. He did not join protests or
political parties. But he shaped the soul of the nation with his words. He wrote essays, letters,
and poems on freedom and dignity. His writings awakened a spirit of pride among Indians.
He believed that freedom was not only political. It was also spiritual, cultural, and intellectual
freedom.
He had great respect for Mahatma Gandhi. They shared a bond based on deep values. Though
they had some differences, both stood for truth. Gandhi called Tagore “Gurudev” as a sign of
reverence. Tagore called Gandhi “Mahatma” or great soul. Their friendship reflected India’s
unity in diversity. They showed that different paths can lead to the same goal.
Tagore’s Nationalism lectures warned of blind patriotism. He believed love for the country
should not mean hate for others. He said, “Nationalism is a great menace.” This idea was bold
but full of truth. He wanted India to rise in values, not violence. His thoughts stood firm in
times of chaos and bloodshed.
Tagore did not limit himself to only India’s concerns. He spoke for oppressed people around
the world. He was touched by the suffering of Africans, Chinese, and Jews.
The Women in Tagore’s World
Tagore had deep respect for women. He portrayed them as strong, thinking individuals. His
female characters were bold and sensitive. They broke social norms but held moral values. In
stories like Chokher Bali, Ghare Baire, and Jogajog, he showed women’s inner lives.
His women were not weak or silent. They questioned, resisted, and chose their own paths.
Tagore believed women deserved equal voice and freedom. He gave them space in literature
and in life. He supported women’s education and their right to dream.
Tagore’s sister Swarnakumari was a writer and editor. His sister-in-law Kadambari Devi
inspired many of his early works. He grew up in a home where women read and wrote. He
saw women as creators, not just caretakers. His stories helped change how people saw Indian
women.
Philosophy of Life: Tagore’s Spiritual Vision
Tagore believed that life was a spiritual journey. He saw the divine in nature, people, and
everyday life. His poems often spoke of a loving, personal God. He felt that God lived not in
temples, but in work and compassion. He saw service to others as the highest form of prayer.
He was influenced by the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita. But he also read the Bible and
Buddhist texts. His ideas blended different faiths and cultures. He saw unity beneath all
religious forms. His spiritual path was free from fear and dogma.
A Lasting Legacy
More than eighty years after his death, Tagore remains alive in India. His school continues to
shape young minds. His poems are part of daily life in Bengal. His music plays in homes,
streets, and concert halls. His plays are performed in cities and villages alike.
Many awards and institutions are named after him. Every year, Tagore Jayanti is celebrated
with joy. His influence stretches from Kolkata to Kerala, from Delhi to Dhaka. Bangladesh
sees him as their cultural father. India sees him as a national treasure.
Tagore as a Timeless Icon of India
Rabindranath Tagore is not just a name in history books. He is a living force in India’s soul.
He stands for everything that makes India proud—its art, wisdom, courage, and kindness. He
is a poet of India’s heart, and a guide to its spirit.
As one of the great Faces of India, Tagore represents unity and diversity. He blends tradition
and modernity in every thought. He stands at the center of India’s cultural rebirth. His face is
not just on statues, but in stories and dreams.
Conclusion
Tagore’s message is not just for poets and scholars. It is for every child, every citizen, every
soul. His words ask us to open our minds and feel our hearts. His life invites us to think
deeply and love freely.
India has many heroes, but few as full of grace as Tagore. He was a complete man—artist,
thinker, patriot, and humanist. His legacy shines brighter with every passing year. His name is
written in the skies of India’s past and future.
Let us keep Tagore alive in our lives. Not only by reading him but by living his values. Let us
build an India of truth, joy, and harmony. An India that reflects the light of Gurudev Tagore.
An India where the mind is without fear and the head is held high.