Who is Rabindranath Tagore?

Who Is Rabindranath Tagore? Perhaps, an overview of his life may be helpful.In May 1861, when he arrived in a prominent Kolkata family three strong currents were sweeping the society of Bengal – renaissance of religion, literature and national spirit.Though a successful, westernized businessman who died in England at the age of 52, his grandfather, known as Prince Dwarakanath, left behind a legacy as well as liabilities.Though his father, known as Maharashi Devendranath, was steeped in Indian traditions, he embraced and nurtured the reformist Brahmo Samaj as a way of reviving of Hinuduism.Though the family had been wealthy, the period of grandeur was over and austerity had found its way to the Tagore household.Though 14th of the 15 children living in a joint family that included his uncles, aunts and cousins, he was a lonely child.Such dualities of the bygone era merged through the air of Jorasanko – Tagore family residence in Kolkata – reverberating with music, drama, literature, a constant stream of people, a continuing line of tutors in lieu of a regular school.His first muse appeared in the person of Kadambari Devi, wife of his elder brother, Jyotirindranath, and his writing and musical talents blossomed.At the age of about 21, he had a vision.The manuscript of his autobiography, Jibansmriti, contains a very telling line, omitted from the printed version for reason best known to the author.