Rabindranath Tagore
Rabindranath Tagore was born in Calcutta, India, on May 7, 1861. He was the youngest of thirteen children. His father, Debendranath Tagore, was a leading figure in the Brahmo Samaj, a Hindu reform movement. His mother, Sarada Devi, was a devout and loving woman.
Tagore was a precocious child. He began writing poetry at the age of eight. He was also a talented musician and painter. He never attended a conventional school, but was educated at home by his tutors.
In 1878, Tagore went to England to study law. However, he soon found that law was not his calling. He returned to India in 1880 and devoted himself to writing and music.
Tagore was a prolific writer. He wrote poems, plays, novels, short stories, and essays. He also composed over 2,000 songs. His work is characterized by its beauty, lyricism, and spiritual depth.
Tagore was a humanist and a universalist. He believed in the unity of all people. He was also a strong advocate for Indian independence.
In 1913, Tagore became the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. He was awarded the prize for his collection of poems, Gitanjali.
Tagore died on August 7, 1941. He was 80 years old.
Tagore was a towering figure in Indian literature and culture. He is considered to be one of the greatest poets of all time. His work has had a profound influence on writers and artists all over the world.