Rabindranath Tagore Essay: The Life and Works of a Literary Genius

Rabindranath Tagore is one of India’s most cherished renaissance figures, who has put us on the literary map of the world. He was a poet’s poet and a maker of not only modern Indian literature but also the modern Indian mind. Tagore was myriad-minded and a great poet, short story writer, novelist, dramatist, essayist, painter, and composer of songs. His worldwide acclaim as a social, political, religious and aesthetic thinker, an innovator in education and a champion of the ‘One World’ idea makes him a living presence. Gandhi called him the ‘Great Sentinel’. He was also renowned as Gurudev.

His Early Years

Rabindranath Tagore was born on May 6, 1861, in an affluent joint family at Jorasanko in Calcutta. His father Maharsi Debendranath Tagore was a religious reformer, scholar, and leader of Brahmo Samaj and his mother’s name was Sarada Devi. He was the youngest of thirteen children. He had spent most of his childhood with servants since his mother had passed away when he was very young. His home was the hub of literary and theatrical activities. In 1883, Rabindranath Tagore married Mrinalini Devi Raichaudhuri. He had two sons and three daughters.

In his childhood, Tagore never liked the school education within the four walls. He liked the outside world; the open sky overhead and the earth under his feet. So, he was educated at home by private tutors who taught him various subjects. English was his least favourite subject. His father guided him with Upanishads.

He extensively read the mystical and Vaishnav poets of India. From his early years, Rabindranath Tagore wrote poems. Some of his poems were published in periodicals when he was very young. He finished a long poem in Maithili style. His first short story in Bengali had the title, ‘Bhikharini’ (The Beggar Woman).

Tagore went to England for higher education but there also, he did not like the traditional system of education. He came back to India after a year. After he came back, he devoted himself completely to writing. Before he turned 18 years old, he had published more than 6000 lines of verse along with prose. He became an active member of the Bengal Literary Academy and frequently contributed to many periodicals. Bengal was swinging from the Renaissance in every field of religion, literature and politics when Rabindranath Tagore made his presence felt in the literary society.

He established a school named Shantiniketan at Bolpur (Birbhum district) in Bengal. In Shantiniketan, the teachers took classes under the trees with open sky overhead and green grass under the feet. The Gurukul pattern was followed in the school. Later, the school became a college and then a famous university under the name of “Visva-Bharati”. Today, students from different parts of the world come here to study. 

His Contributions

Rabindranath Tagore wrote not only poems but also short stories, drama, novels and essays. He was awarded the world-famous Nobel prize for Literature for his famous book of poetry called ‘Gitanjali’ in 1913. The British Crown awarded him the Knighthood. However, he returned the award to mark the protest against the inhumane massacre in Jallianwala Bagh. Tagore has 2230 songs in his collection, which he composed and they are known as ‘Rabindra Sangeet’. Till today, the Bengalis sing his composed songs with pride. His famous novels like ‘Gora’ ‘Ghare-Baire’, ‘Noukadubi’, ‘Chokher Bali’ and many have been made into movies, which have won accolades worldwide. 

Tagore also took up painting. He introduced a completely new form of art and his paintings were so exceptional that he won himself a very significant place among India’s

famous contemporary artists. 

Into Politics

Rabindranath Tagore was writing at a time when the entire country was thrown into the fever of the freedom struggle and he plunged with deep passion into the struggle. He took part in the freedom movements by opening a Swadeshi shop selling only Indian goods and by rejecting foreign goods. He also composed many patriotic songs and articles especially during the painful partition of Bengal in 1905. Those songs inspired the youth of the country. He gave us the National Anthem: “Jana Gana Mana”. He had also composed the National anthem of Bangladesh: “Amar Sonar Bangla”. He also wrote the lyrics of Sri Lanka’s National Anthem.

Death

Tagore died on August 7, 1941, at Calcutta leaving behind a legacy of world-class literature. He is one of the most influential Indian writers and so not only the nation but also the entire intellectual community of the world suffered an irreparable loss. The nation lost a great poet, philosopher, social reformer, mystic and a greater human being. 

He was not only a representative of the nation but a wholesome product of Mother Earth, an amalgamation of Indian and modern values. Even though he is not among us, his presence can be felt through his vast works. His birthday is celebrated as Rabindra Jayanti in West Bengal. He will always be remembered as the source of inspiration for noble thoughts and great ideas for humanity. 

Descriptive Essay

A descriptive essay is one in which a person, place, thing, or any object is explained in detail. It vividly describes the experience of the five senses about the subject. The subject can be anything – a thing, an experience, a situation, or an emotion or feeling. A good descriptive essay has the power to paint a picture through words. It can make the reader experience the subject first-hand in his mind – such is the power of a good descriptive essay. Great writers can describe a thing with such vividity that it becomes a memorable piece of literature and becomes a classic.

Describing a Person

Writing an essay about a person is a kind of descriptive essay. The onus of bringing that person to life through words remains with the writer. We have memorable characters in books that were so well described in the literature that they appear to one like a real person. A good example is Sherlock Holmes, the creation of a doctor who wrote detective fiction while waiting for patients in his clinic. 

Hence, anyone can become good at describing a person. In a descriptive essay about a person, one needs to write about his life and death. The important events of his life have to be mentioned. His personality and characteristics that make him unique should be mentioned. With meticulous attention and creativity, a good picture of the subject’s life can be captured.

How to Begin a Descriptive Essay on a Person?

Usually, students are asked to write an essay about a historical figure. In that case, the facts of his life can be collected to form the base of the essay. There should be no fiction or imagined detail, though inferences can be included. Good research is required to write a descriptive essay on an actual person. Sometimes characters of a well-known story are the subject, in that case, the piece of fiction in which the character appears needs to be studied thoroughly. Essays by other people, often as part of character study, can also be read to gather material for the essay. Good research goes a long way into an informative and rich essay.

Body of a Descriptive Essay on a Person

The introduction of an essay about a person needs to mention how he was known as – his profession or quality that made him stand apart. In short essays, only his major life-works or unique quality can be discussed. In longer essays, his physical descriptions (if any) can also be used, along with other details of his life that formed the culture and society of his time.

Conclusion of a Descriptive Essay on a Person

The essay should mention the legacy the subject leaves behind after his death and how it affects future generations. For example, a great cultural and literary figure like Rabindra Nath Tagore would require a deep and heavy conclusion to do justice to his great personality.