Works

Tagore at Humboldt University in Berlin

Unity in India: The Message of the Forest

A special feature of the shellac records in the the Humboldt University Sound Archives is the Tagore’s signature engraved in the wax plate of the recording. Wilhelm Doegen always added his signature too. These closing words of a speech that Tagore gave in English were recorded in the university’s main lecture theater on June 1, 1921 (and again the following evening in view of the interest shown in it). Read more

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Tagore and Freedom: Language by Ranjan Sen

One of the most striking illustrations of the theme of Tagore and Freedom is his linguistic innovation. Tagore was a pioneer in spurning rigid classical forms in Bengali arts, and nowhere is this more evident than in his creative exploration of the Bengali language. He is credited with inventing, at a very early age, the Bengali-language short story genre, and he promoted the use of colloquial language throughout his literature, in poems, plays and songs. Read more

Top: Study Class in Santiniketan. Below: Foundation of Visva-Bharati University. Image credits: Ministry of Culture, Government of India.

Rabindranath Tagore’s Educational Ideas and Experiments

Rabindranath Tagore founded several schools and a university at Santiniketan, West-Bengal, and was one of the most progressive educators of his time. He envisioned a holistic education that was deeply rooted in one’s culture and surroundings but also connected to the wider world. Tagore was a pioneer in education for intercultural understanding and peace, for respect and intimacy with nature, for rural reconstruction and social engagement and for artistic abilities and creativity. Read more