Today is Baishey Shrabon (22e Shrabon), the death anniversary of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore—India’s tallest polymath: poet, writer, playwright, composer, social reformer, philosopher, painter, and educator—who continues to inspire Indians across the length and breadth of our country, as well as Indians living abroad. He is Bengal’s greatest gift not only to India but to the world at large.

His composition Jana Gana Mana, India’s National Anthem, immortalises him in countless hearts across generations. Such was Gurudev’s appeal that his ode to Bengal, Amar Sonar Bangla (My Golden Bengal), was adopted by Bangladesh as its National Anthem after its liberation from Pakistan.

Perhaps his most enduring contribution was to elevate Bangla bhasha to the exalted status it enjoys today—both at home and abroad. It is the second most spoken language in India and an official language of the country; globally, it ranks among the ten most spoken languages. Through both prose and poetry, Tagore gave Bangla a literary richness that resonates universally. The music he composed transcends linguistic and geographical barriers—its appeal is timeless and universal.

India’s first Nobel Laureate, Tagore was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature for........

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