Rabindranath Tagore was one of the greatest poets of India. He was the winner of the Nobel Prize which is awarded to the greatest men of science, literature, and special services. His most famous book of songs is Gitanjali. This book was particularly selected for the awarding of the Nobel Prize to Him.
The Nobel Prize then had prize money of over a lakh of Rupees. Rabindranath Tagore was the first Indian to win the Nobel Prize. Other Indians who won the Nobel Prize were C.V. Raman and Mother Teresa. Mr. Khorana, who won the Nobel Prize for science, is an Indian by origin, but he is now an American Citizen. He won the Nobel Prize as an American and Not as an Indian.
Rabindranath Tagore wrote his poems in the Bengali language. He translated his own Banguli poems into English. His book of poems Gitanjali bears an introduction by the great English poet. Y.B. Yeast. It was this introduction that won him an international reputation and helped him to win the Nobel Prize. The time Yeats was not himself a Nobel Prize-Winner, although he was very distinguished as an English poet after he helped Rabindranath Tagore to win it.
Rabindranath Tagore was not only a great poet, but he was also a great dramatist and story-writer. He was also an educationist and a patriot. He used to act in his own plays. He was the founder of Shantiniketan, a University of liberal arts near Kolkata, where many scholars from foreign countries come and get their education in arts and humanities. Our late Prime Minister Mrs. India Gandhi was also educated at the University of Shantiniketan for some years.
Rabindranath Tagore was also a great patriot and a close friend of Mahatma Gandhi and other freedom fighters. He offered them every help in the struggle for freedom. he was awarded a knighthood (the title of "Sir" by the British after he had won the Nobel Prize but he returned it to the British for freedom's sake. He did not think it nice to accept any honors from the British while they were ruling our country and holding our nation in subjection. Our national song 'Jana Gana Mana' was composed by Rabindranath Tagore. Wherever and whenever you hear the national anthem, you are indeed hearing the voice of Rabindranath Tagore.
Next to Kalidas, Tagore is the most famous poet of India. He is known as the Shakespeare of India. Tagore traveled widely in many countries including China, Japan, Switzerland, and other countries. There are many memorials of him all over the world. In Chandigarh, there is a famous Tagore Hall. In Delhi, we have Tagore Garden, which is a township, and also Tagore Gallery of Art. The statues of Tagore are found in many places. Next to Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore is one of our greatest legendary figures who have become immortal institutions in themselves.
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