He was a Bengali polymath who reshaped his region's literature and music. Author of Gitanjali. He became the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913. Tagore introduced new prose and verse forms and the use of colloquial language into Bengali literature. He is generally regarded as the outstanding creative artist of modern India.
Background
Tagore was born in the Jorasanko mansion in Calcutta, India to parents Debendranath Tagore and Sarada Devi. The Tagore family came into prominence during the Bengal Renaissance that started during the age of Hussein Shah. The original name of the Tagore family was Banerjee. Being Brahmins , their ancestors were referred to as ‘Thakurmashai’ or ‘Holy Sir’. During the British rule, this name stuck and they began to be recognized as Thakur and eventually the family name got anglicized to Tagore.
Education
He was educated at home by a tutor. He would study Mathematics, History, Geography, Bengali and Sanskrit. In the afternoon, he learnt drawing, English and play games. On Sundays he would learn music and conduct experiments in science. Reading plays was of special interest to him. He was happy to read plays of Kalidas and Shakespeare. He had a special interest in Bengali, which was his mother-tongue.
He became a student of Prof. Henry Morley whose lectures influenced Rabindranath to take interest in English literature. After 18 months in England, he returned to India without taking any degree.
Career
He devoted his life to writing and cultural development of his people.
Religion
His religion was one of relationship of man with nature and with God, relationship whose goal was oneness with God.
Politics
Tagore's political thought was tortuous. He opposed imperialism and supported Indian nationalists. Though somewhat critical of Gandhian activism, Tagore was key in resolving a Gandhi–Ambedkar dispute involving separate electorates for untouchables, thereby mooting at least one of Gandhi's fasts "unto death".
Views
Quotations:
“Beauty is truth's smile when she beholds her own face in a perfect mirror”
"Death is not extinguishing the light; it is only putting out the lamp because the dawn has come"
"You can't cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the waiter"