A glimpse into Tagore’s works and his expressions

By Amal HEWAVISSENTI

”I know well the rhythm of your steps, They are beating in my heart.” (Gardener)

Rabindranath Tagore, one of the landmark renaissance figures, is generally agreed to be the creator of modern Indian literature. The Nobel Prize, awarded to him for world literature, (Geetanjali) marked India on the literary map of the world. However, Tagore’s illumination as a poet and a champion of literary thought, dawned on him when he turned just eighteen. His writings exhibit a high level of lyrical character and much of his beautiful Bengali Poetry poured forth at this early stage of his life.

Rabindranath Tagore

Togore was deeply influenced in his writing by the memories of his grandfather Dwarkanath Tagore, one of the most enlightened intellectual leaders of Bengal more than a century previously. In short, Tagore’s creativity blossomed as a result of his natura penchant for solitude and peace and his strikingly imaginative nature. He is readily acclaimed as novelist, dramatist, essayist, painter, short story writer and a poet who transformed the Indian mind. The imagery of his works particularly poems is well underlined by an echo of human mood of joy, longing and pain.

A unique experience

Tagore’s father Maharshi made necessary arrangements to send him to the village of Shileida on the banks of river Padma where he could blend freely with the villagers. River Padma is a branch of Ganges as it divides into a delta near the sea. Though he was married and had five children, the enthusiastic young poet’s passion for solitude found fullscope near this river. He surprisingly found time to spend even months alone in a house boat tied to the rocks in the middle of the river. Even while he was leading an active married life.

His life in the village of Shileida brought out the classic master of poetry in him and inspired him to write his masterpiece (novels, short stories and dramas) in Bengali literature.

The master of poetry

Tagore’s Nobel Prize winner Gitanjali contains translations from Bangali poem which reflects the tension in Tagore’s mind over the death of his wife and two youngest children. It was published in England and Tagore said that it was written for himself. It is said that the Irish poet W.B. Yeats was immensely struck with the charming poetry of Gitanjali because the “Lyrics displayed a world” he had dreamed all his lifetime. Gitanjali is written in rhythmic prose. According to Tagore, Gitanjali, was written during his sorrow without the least idea to publish it.

The Gardener - This series of poems was published after Gitanjali and represented more human aspects of love in contrast to the religious significance of Gitanjali. The book earned massive popularity among readers specially among those of west.

Fruit - Gathering - This collection of poems is seen to be sequel to his masterpiece - Gitanjali. Here Tagore earnestly appeals to all mankind to explore the unknown in a special poem titled “The Oarsmen”.

The Crescent Moon - This is collection of poems of childhood which is equally popular in European and Asian literatures. The poet has managed to portray the human heart and has captured the universal humour and beauty of childhood in simple poems.

His novels

Gora - This novel of considerable popularity and fame deals wholly with the aspects of religious society in India in modern times and offers a good picture of the spirit of the East. Gora represents by far Tagore’s typical prose writings and is, perhaps, the best known novel by Tagore.

The Home and the World - The book narrates the happenings in the ‘Swadeshi’ movement in Bengal in its climax. The novel vividly describes the background of India during the nationalist movement and social upheaval which was the direct outgrowth of the movement. The novel has gained a growing chorus of praise for its character drawing and powers of description. Apart from novels, Tagore’s short story collections such as “Hungry Stones” have won critics’ favourable appraisal because of the unique hue they have given to typical Bengali life.

The drama “The Post Office” centers around a sick child who is eagerly expecting a letter from the king. Tagore represents the child’s mood as unique phenomenon when the child is shown to greet various passers-by while sitting at the window. “Chitra”, Tagore’s first drama, itself is an artist’s own representation of an ideal woman both in her physical attraction and her spiritual commitment to love. This classical drama was translated into English by Tagore himself.

In addition, Tagore’s mystery play “The King of the Dark Chamber” focuses its general interest on the character of ‘Sudarshana’ the queen. The play evolves within the frame of activities of the ‘king of the Dark Chamber’ who stays unseen but controls his kingdom unfelt by people in different situations.

The book ‘Sacrifice’ comprises four plays. The play of central importance in the collection is “Sacrifice” in its setting. The drama has been repeatedly staged in America and England. Tagore’s drama, “Cycle of Spring” is well noted for its generous employment of songs and portrayal of traditional Bengali setting. The play operates on the blithe escapades of a team of young adventurers who keep in pursuit of the ‘old man’ who represents winter and death. This particular mystery play by Tagore keeps its Climax with held up to the last with a fair degree of suspense. A favourite among the boys and girls at Shantiniketan.

Broadened out towards larger horizon

Tagore’s visits to Europe and America and the award of Nobel prize drew his heart more and more towards embracing humanity. His life gradually broadened out towards a larger horizon - in sharp realisation that all the races of the world should live in love and harmony. He is said to have been in a great affliction over the colour discrimination and racial prejudice preying on mankind. He call it a “burning question of the present age”. The impact of this situation on Tagore’s mind was inspirational for him to write his philosophical works such as ‘creative unity’, ‘Sadhana’, and ‘personality’. This social, religious and aesthetic thinker was really the ‘great soldier’ as Gandhi called him.

A few beautiful lines culled from the large spectrum of expressions scattered in his master piece, Gitanjali will show the nature of Tagore’s aesthetic philosophy.

* “In the deepest silence of night the stars smile and whisper among themselves - ‘Unbroken Perfection is over all.”

* Take this fleeting emptiness of mine, O my sun everglorious, paint it with colours, gild it with gold, float it on the wanton wind and spread it in varied wonders.

* Over my thoughts and actions, my slumbers and dreams, she reigned, yet dwelled alone and apart.

* There is a rumour that a young pale beam of a crescent moon touched the edge of a vanishing autumn cloud - and there was born the smile that flickers on baby’s lips when he sleeps.

* As the night keeps hidden in its gloom the petition for light, even thus in the depth of my unconsciousness rings the cry - I want thee.

* The traveller has to knock at every alien door to come to his own, and one has to wander through all the outer worlds to reach the innermost shrine at the end.

* Honour the flower with a touch of pain from thy hand and pluck it.

* This frail vessel thou emptiest again and again and fills it ever with fresh life.

* In many a morning and eve thy footsteps have been heard, and thy messenger has come within my heart and called me in secret.