The Argumentative Indian: Writings on Indian History, Culture and Identity

Rabindranath Tagore, one of the most prominent literary figures from Bengal, has greatly influenced Indian and Bangladeshi culture. Despite the fame and adulation he received in the East, especially after winning the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for Gitanjali, his renown in the West has diminished over time. He’s often pigeonholed as a mystical sage from the East, sidelining his multifaceted and vast range of work. Tagore’s heritage was deeply rooted in a Hindu family that was open to the amalgamation of Hindu, Muslim, and British cultures. This blend was evident in Tagore’s non-sectarian outlook.

While he had immense respect for Mahatma Gandhi, they harbored significant ideological differences. Tagore’s sudden ascent to fame in English circles was a source of both surprise and delight for him. However, he was pained by unfounded criticisms, like being erroneously credited for Yeats’s work. Tagore had a sharp wit, often challenging his fervent supporters, likening them to “drunkards who are afraid of their lucid intervals” (102).

Religion played a crucial role in Tagore’s works. His religious writings, like Gitanjali, reflected a direct, intrepid relationship with God, drawing from a myriad of Indian religious traditions. Yet, he emphasized basic human values more than deep spirituality.