Rabindranath Tagore was a great polymath who showed sheer talent in the numerous fields he was engaged in. He was a poet, novelist, short story writer, essayist, playwright, educationist, essayist, social reformer, visual artist, philosopher and musician. He was also a polyglot who could converse in numerous languages. Here are some of the skills of Rabindranath Tagore that contributed to his greatness:
Writer: Rabindranath Tagore is mostly known for his prolific writing career. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for his collection of verses called “Gitanjali”. His works are famous all over the world and have been translated into numerous languages. His writing was an amalgamation of the best features of Eastern and Western literature.
Visual artist: Rabindranath Tagore was also a great visual artist. He painted pastoral scenes, village life and natural scenery with vibrant colours. His works showed his keen insight into the human condition and adeptly blended fantasy and realism.
Educationist: Rabindranath Tagore was also a great educationist. He set up the Vishwa Bharati University in Shantiniketan, West Bengal which provided a holistic education with equally important emphasis on academics and fine arts. The educational model of the university was ahead of its time and is still followed by many educational institutions today.
Social Reformer: Rabindranath Tagore was also a great reformer. He was an advocate of self-rule for India which led him to become the President of the Indian National Congress. He also put forward a unique approach to reforming the Indian economy and believed in using native craftsman skills to build a more equitable system.
Philosopher: Rabindranath Tagore was a great philosopher as well. He explored many philosophical ideas in his works such as the concept of eternal truth, the unity of all life, gender equality and interdependence as well as harmony and peace. He was also a Vedantist and pursued his own interpretation of Indian spiritualism.
These are some of the many skills of Rabindranath Tagore that made him a towering figure in Indian history. To this day, his works continue to inspire readers from all over the world.
