Wiki-style project on Gurudev launched in London
A new crowd-sourced Wikipedia-style project was launched at the Nehru centre in London to mark the 155th anniversary of the legend, Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore. 'The Tagore Project' (http://thetagoreproject.org), a brainchild of Bengaluru-based IT professional Subhanjan Sarkar, aims to make available free online, the complete life's work of Rabindranath Tagore. The project will be available both on the web-based and mobile app platform.
Who was Rabindranath Tagore?
Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941) was a poet, a painter, a philosopher and an educationist. Although he did not receive any formal education, he started an experimental school Vishva Bharti in Shantiniketan, which produced the likes of Amartya Sen and Satyajit Ray. Tagore became the voice of India's spiritual heritage, spreading the Indian culture across the world.
Tagore wrote in all literary genres
The prominent works of Tagore include Mansi, Gitanjali, Gitimalya, Raja, Dakghar, Ghare-Baire, Yogayog, and Muktadhara. He was the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913.
World celebrates Tagore's 155th anniversary
Countries across the world paid tributes to Rabindranath Tagore on his 155th anniversary. As a mark of respect to Tagore, China released 33 volumes of his work comprising 16 million words which had been painstakingly translated over 6 years by 18 translators. While Tagore project was released in London, Egypt is celebrating a Tagore festival where plays on his works are being performed.
Confusion over birth anniversary date
Tagore was born on Pochishe Boishakh (25th day of Baisakh) and this day is celebrated as his birth anniversary in Bengal. However, according to Gregorian calendar, his birth anniversary is on 7th of May.
Tagore's idea can strengthen Indo-China ties
Tagore has a huge fan following in China. Soon there could be more Tagore readers in China than in India. "Tagore's idea on China-India relationship could serve as a useful guide as we work to deepen mutual trust, enhance friendship and develop bilateral exchanges and cooperation" -Chinese Consul. Tagore believed in Asian resurgence when the West was dominant and Asians were looked down upon.
Gurudev was a nationalist
Tagore was knighted by the British Government in 1915 but he renounced the honour after the Jalliawala Bagh massacre in 1919 as a mark of protest against the British policies in India.
India celebrates Tagore's anniversary
In India, President paid homage to the legend and asked people to imbibe Tagore's "spirit of India" which displays love for unity and embraces all cultures. Prime Minister bowed to Tagore and said that his "profound thoughts and writings continue to inspire". In native Bengal, people celebrated the occasion with fanfare, taking out processions and artists performing the works penned down by Tagore.
