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Romance, comedy, mystery, and drama are among the genres explored by the great musician, poet, and author Rabindranath Tagore. His work continues to be a source of inspiration and insight for readers across all age groups. Reading Rabindranath Tagore books can help you learn about his take on different social practices to develop your own opinion.
Here are some of the top books by Rabindranath Tagore that you should add to your reading list this summer!
Top 6 Rabindranath Tagore Books to Read!
A man of versatile talents, Rabindranath Tagore continues to illuminate Bengali literature with his excellent novels, short stories, and poetry. His collection of poems (named ‘Gitanjali’) won a Nobel Prize in 1913. Combined with some of the most notable works of Arundhati Roy, you will have a list of insightful reads from some of the greatest writers in Indian literature.
Let’s begin by diving into some of the best Rabindranath Tagore books you should consider reading!
Gitanjali
- Gitanjali is an anthology of poetry and is one of the most influential Rabindranath Tagore books.
- Originally published in the year 1910, the series was translated into a set of 103 prose poems in English in the year 1912.
- Illustrious author W. B. Yeats co-authored the English version of Gitanjali.
- Inspired by the lyrics of devotional songs sung in medieval times, Tagore emphasized the subject of love in his poems.
- One of the key aspects of this work is its rhythmic (almost musical) poetry that invokes a sense of faith in the reader.
The Postmaster
- A book that was written in complete isolation, The Postmaster successfully established Tagore as one of India’s most prolific romantic writers.
- The story is beautifully untold into the fabric of different concepts.
- A key theme of this book is the skillfully designed comparisons between the innocence of childhood and the conflicts faced by adults.
- Human emotions describe beautifully, allowing the reader to recognize the parallels that exist in the human psyche.
- The Postmaster addresses the notion of duality with a contrast between life in a city and life in a village. Another challenging theme is the concept of natural versus supernatural events.
- If you are looking for a read that will challenge your beliefs on life and love across different cities, this is among the Rabindranath Tagore books that you will enjoy!
Gora
- Gora is the Rabindranath Tagore book that cemented his place in society as a visionary.
- In this work, Tagore boldly tackles some of the most recognized and controversial social practices that continue to plague Indian society.
- The book is about the religious, social, and political society of Bengal during colonial rule in the 1880s.
- Tagore’s aim was to usher in a period of transformation across India’s religious, social, and political scenes.
- The protagonist of the book (Gora) is well-known for his incredible ability to bring philosophical questions to light. Political & theological debates and subjects of female rights, gender, universal brotherhood, and freedom are a part of it.
- One of the key aspects of this book is his analysis of time, which remains valid in today’s modernized society.
Ghare Bhaire (The Home and the World)
- If you need to learn more about the rich colonial history of India, this work is famous among all the Rabindranath Tagore books
- A collection of 10 different essays and short stories, the book (in great detail) covers all of colonial India’s national and historical processes.
- Ghare Bhaire is one of Tagore’s most unique works owing to the stimulation of deeper conversations on topics that are unheard of by most.
- This work illustrates the battle Rabindranath Tagore had with himself and the different ideas perpetuated by Western culture. Presenting the concepts to readers via two brilliant protagonists.
- Understanding the opposing ideals contributes significantly to understanding the history of Bengal and its contemporary problems.
Chokher Bali
- Chokher Bali is one of the first modern Indian novels to emerge in the literature.
- This is among the best Rabindranath Tagore books for readers who enjoy intricate writing styles; the themes cover a complicated web of relationships.
- The different themes covered in this book include the treatment of widows during the 19th and 20th centuries, child marriage, and numerous issues of women’s education.
- The narrative describes as an implicit debate on morality and love. As a reader, you will understand the characters beyond Bengali society’s social norms and perspectives.
Fireflies
- Lastly, Fireflies is the best Rabindranath Tagore book in poetry that you should consider reading!
- The inspiration for the title of this work is from the initial lines of Tagore’s poem Lekhan.
- Fireflies is a collection of 256 incredible poems and verses, with several parallels drawn to Tagore’s popular epigram “Stray Birds.”
- An important point to note is that the poetry in this book has been presented as maxims or aphorisms rather than actual poems.
- Several critics of this book have also pointed out the influence of Japanese haiku in Rabindranath Tagore’s work.
- The brevity of the book has allowed Tagore to express a plethora of remarkable poetic ideas with sheer eloquence and panache.
Key takeaways
- Rabindranath Tagore is one of India’s most significant writers who contributed to the development of Bengali literature.
- His work continues to have an impact on the youth today, allowing readers to gain an understanding of his brilliant thoughts and perspectives on society.
- Adding Rabindranath Tagore books to your summer reading list is one of the best ways to become acquainted with this writer’s remarkable style of literature.
- The above-listed books can be a great place to start!
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FAQs
Q1. Did Rabindranath Tagore collaborate with other authors in India?
Answer – Yes! ‘The Gardner’ is a seamless blend of two recognized giants in poetry – Gulzar and Rabindranath Tagore. Gulzar’s translations provide significant insight into the Bard of Bengal, contributing to Tagore’s poetry collections, such as Sonar Tari and Chitra.
Q2. Can children read Rabindranath Tagore’s work?
Answer – Absolutely! Introducing children to Rabindranath Tagore’s work is one of the best ways to introduce concepts of social practices that are cruel and unjust. Some of the best books for children include Kabuliwala, The Little Big Man, and The Astronomer.
Q3. Apart from stories and poems, what other contributions did Tagore make?
Answer – Rabindranath Tagore was also skilled at writing essays, dance dramas, musical dramas, travel diaries, and two brilliant autobiographies. Additionally, he also created several drawings, paintings, and songs that continue to be appreciated today.
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