GURUDEV RABINDRANATH TAGORE Born on 7 May, 1861, in Jarasanko house at 6, Dwarkanath Tagore Lane, Calcutta, Rabindranath was the fourteenth child of Devendranath Tagore (1817-1905) and Sarda Devi (1826/27-1875). The family discovered Rabindranath's gift for song and poetry quite early in his life. His first poem to appear in print was 'Abhilash' in the Tattavabodhini Patrika in 1874 where it was described to be a twelve year-old boy's composition. The next year, he made his first public apearance as a poet reciting a patriotic poem of his own composition at the ninth session of the Hindu Mela.

His first literary writings appeared in Janankur O Prativimba and later in the family literary journal 'Bharati'. In 1878 he accompanied his brother Satyendranath to England where he studied English Literature at the Uiversity College, London. The year 1881 also saw him writing his first musical play, Valmiki Pratibha and appearing himself in the title role. In 1883 he was married to Mrinalini. Rabindranath spent the next decade of his life (1890-1900) mainly in the countryside, in close contact with the children of soil. The Monthly 'Sadhana' was founded by him in 1891.

The 'Sadhana' phase was also a phase of constructive nationalism for Rabindranath. At a public meeting presided over by Bankimchandra Chatterji, he read out a well argued political essays on 'Ingraj O Bharatbasi', He advocated widespread use of the mother-toungue as a medium of education and described 'self-help' and'self-respect' as the back-bone of 'Swadeshism'. On the other hand, he invoked India's history and legends in the poems of 'Katha Kahani' to inculcate patriotic and national sentiments. When the Viceroy proposed vivisection of Bengal, Rabindranath came out of his seclusion at Santiniketan to lend his powerful voice on behalf of the nation against the act of high - handedness. He preached swadeshi, composed heart stirring swadeshi songs, wrote tenchant essys, addresse meetings and even headed protest demonstrations. His reminiscences were serialized in the 'Prabasi' and the original Bengali poems of 'Geetanjali' and the play 'Dakghar' were published the same year.

In 192 he read at Overtoun Hall his famous essay, 'My Interpretation of India's History', wherin he gave a prose paraphrase as it was his 'Jana Gana Mana' song, now the National song of India, earlier composed for the anniversary of Brahmo Samaj, proclaimimg that India stood for unity in the midst of diversity. The Swadeshi Acadmy selected 'Gitanjali' for the Nobel Award in Literature for 1913. In 1915 he was knighted by the King-Emperor. The same year, Tagore and Gandhiji met for the first time at Santiniketan. In 1918, the foundation was laid at Santinketan of the Institution which came to be known as the 'Visva Bharati' World University. During the nes\xt two years 1919-20, Rabindranath travelled all over India inviting support for Visva Bharati. In 1919, he relinquished his knighthod as a protest against the British atrocities at Jallianwala Bagh in the Punjab. On 7 August, 1940, on behalf of Oxford University, Sir Maurice Gwyer conferred its doctorate on Rabindranath at a special Convocation arranged at Santiniketan.

Although his litrary work continued til end, by the beginning of 1941, his chronic kidney trouble started causing continuous trouble. On 14 April, when his 80th birthday was celebrated at Santiniketan on the Bengli New Year's Day, he questioned te British intention towards India's struggle for independence in a trenchant address entitled "Crisis in Civilisation". On 7 August 1941 he passed away in Calcutta after a surgical operation. Sorce: Dictionary of National Biography; Editor: S.P. Sen.

The Department of Posts is previleged to issue a stamp in honour of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagre.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India