Rabindranath Tagore—a name synonymous with poetry, patriotism, and profound wisdom—is often celebrated for being the first non-European Nobel Laureate in Literature. While most of us know him as the author of Gitanjali and the composer of India’s national anthem, there’s much more to this iconic figure than meets the eye. From renouncing knighthood to late-in-life painting exhibitions, here are some lesser-known but fascinating facts about the multifaceted genius who helped shape India’s cultural and intellectual identity.
1. A Visionary Behind Modern India
Rabindranath Tagore, born during the British Raj, is one of the most influential figures in Indian history. A poet, philosopher, composer, and artist, Tagore’s contribution to India’s cultural, spiritual, and intellectual landscape remains unparalleled. His ideas, literature, and political views continue to be studied globally even today.
2. His Nobel Prize Was Stolen
Tagore was the first Indian and first non-European to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for his book Gitanjali. The Nobel medal was housed at Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan but was stolen in 2004. In response, the Swedish Academy later presented two replicas—one in gold and one in bronze—to the university.
3. He Met and Debated with Albert Einstein
Tagore’s intellect was globally recognized. He had a series of profound philosophical conversations with Albert Einstein in the 1930s. These conversations, centered around science, truth, and consciousness, remain iconic examples of East-West intellectual exchange.
4. He Was Knighted, Then Gave It Up
In 1915, Tagore was knighted by King George V for his literary contributions. However, following the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919, he renounced the knighthood as a form of protest against British colonial violence, demonstrating his deep moral conviction.
5. His Artistic Legacy Lives in Museums
There are three museums dedicated to Tagore in India and five in Bangladesh.
In India, notable ones include:
- Rabindra Bharati Museum, Jorasanko Thakur Bari (his ancestral home) in Kolkata
- Rabindra Bhavan Museum, in Santiniketan, where he founded Visva-Bharati University
6. A Literary Family: His Sister Was a Novelist
Tagore’s sister, Swarnakumari Devi, was a prominent novelist, poet, and social reformer. She was among the first women in Bengal to gain recognition in literature and music, and played an important role in early women’s movements in India.
7. He Studied in England
Though Tagore didn’t complete formal education in England, he was sent to Brighton for school and briefly attended University College London to study law. However, he soon turned to self-directed studies, immersing himself in Shakespeare, Thomas Browne, and other literary and philosophical works.
8. He Became a Painter at 60
Tagore began painting and sketching at the age of 60, surprising many with his expressive and abstract style. Though he was initially dissatisfied with his artistic skills—once writing to Jagadish Chandra Bose, “Just as a mother lavishes most affection on her ugliest son, so I feel secretly drawn to the very skill that comes to me least easily.”—his artwork eventually gained global recognition and was even exhibited internationally.
9. His Legacy Transcends Borders
Tagore composed the national anthems of both India (Jana Gana Mana) and Bangladesh (Amar Shonar Bangla), making him the only individual to have written national anthems for two countries. His influence stretches far beyond literature, shaping culture, politics, and education across South Asia.