Published: 12:14 AM, 11 August 2026
Rabindranath Tagore’s Outlook on Birth and Death
People across the world celebrated the 85th death anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore. It was exactly on August 7, poet, Nobel Laureate, novelist and music composer of repute, departed for eternal peace for a new journey. Rabindranath Tagore passed away on the above date in the year 1941. Till date the poet is deeply immersed and vivid in the storehouse of our memory and heart.
The humanity who are born on this earth, have certain objectives. Those born with certain principles, always try to perform some noble works. The objective behind it is pious which is reminisced throughout life. What happens is that whenever humanity becomes mixed up with the earth, it never disappears from our mind, thereby the work of that human being becomes deeply embedded upon us.
Poet and Noble Laureate Rabindranath Tagore were such a personality who was deeply compassionate to the needs of humanity across the globe. As I am writing about Rabindranath Tagore’s death anniversary which is to be observed very soon August 7, (which in my mother language is well known as Baishe Shraban).
The poet and Nobel Laureate had a prolonged longevity of eighty years and three months. In between this span of life, he performed multiple works which are not measurable in quantifiable terms.
Now let me touch upon the life philosophy of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore. The Life Philosophy of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore has been centered upon following philosophical areas like universal humanism, spiritual harmony and unity of existence of humanity across the globe. Instead of becoming an escapist, Tagore found divinity in human life, through which he was able to establish connections with entire humanity and nature.
Now coming to the key issue, it is found that Gurudev couldn’t differentiate between birth and date. The philosophical term in this regard, having been appearing in this world, we must not forget that one day or rather, all of us have to depart for eternal peace and sublimation. This is the common format in our life. Which indicates birth and death are the integral parts of human life.
Though Shishu Rabindranath Tagore was not accustomed with routine school life, (he was rather inclined to basics of human nature and culture), but his familial ambience was such which interpreted him to all the nook and corners of the globe. Father and grandfather were Prince Dwarkanath Tagore and Maharshi Debendranath Tagore. There were other great luminaries born in this family.
Though Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore was born in Jorasanko in the year 1861 orks n May 9. But his family networks being so extensive, it spread out to undivided Bengal in those days.
That is the reason, the noble legacies of Gurudev are still prevalent in both sides of the fence, in both India and Bangladesh. In India, the celebrations are more in the Indian state of West Bengal and the entire Bangladesh (capital city Dhaka and Selaidaha).
As per the interpretation of birth by Rabindranath Tagore is concerned. That birth of human beings is a divine gift, a continuous renewal of life which ultimately translates into a universal gift of nature. According to him, birth of humanity in life indicates constant vacuum and refilling with fresh impetus in life.
According to Rabindranath Tagore, he interpreted death as not a tragic end, or a terrifying enemy. Rather according to him, death is a natural transition of life, when the existence is transmitted to a separate unknown place. In philosophy, we find that when a human being dies, the philosopher could not trace out the existence of the human being. But it may be assumed that he might have been born in a separate family, member of a different religion, or might be a citizen of other nations around the globe.
But one thing, we must keep in mind, in this life, whatever work we perform in this world. After the demise of the human soul, even if we perform something remarkable, that is reminisced by all of us. That should be treated as the true credence of humanity across the globe. That is the reason we find the reason behind Sunil Gangopadhyay, Professor Anissuzzaman, Professor Suniti Kumar Chattopadhyay, Professor Rafiqul Islam, Debabrata Biswas etc are still deeply reminisced. Even less known persons who performed creative works. Contrarily, we also believe that the art of honesty is regarded as the cakewalk towards success. This is the reason why the noble legacies of the above are still deeply embedded in the storehouse of our memories and mind.
Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore composed songs pertaining to death. That is why the following songs have been composed by Gurudev pertaining to death are stated as follow:
Ache Dukkho Achhe Mrityu (Sorrow and death)
Jokhon Porbe Na Mor Payer Chinno Ei bate (the footprints of us will never be visible)
Peyechi Chuti Bidaye Deho Bhai (I have earned my leave, please bade me farewell my brothers)
Ami Marer Sagor Pari Debo (I will cross the ocean of death)
Samukhe Shanti Parabar (Peacefully we may bid farewell).
About death, poet and Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore wrote some books. These are stated as follow:
Wings of death
Poet’s death
The Post Office
Gitanjali
About Tagore’s interpretation of birth, we find that it is a new awakening welcoming the birth of new citizens of the globe. Whenever we find the birth of a new creature, the kind of cordiality we find remains incommensurable in our mind and heart. That is why when newcomers appear in today’s world, the parents and close family members try to groom up their child in a new ambience and vistas.
Rabindranath Tagore might have died exactly 85 years ago, when the entire globe was in a state of utter conflagration. It was a pity for us that Gurudev departed for eternal peace at least six years prior to the dawn of Independence of India. Also prior to Indian independence, we were extremely unfortunate to miss Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Shere Bangla etc various other luminary figures who were closely associated with Gurudev.
Despite all the odds, the philosophy of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore is still deeply relevant to us. We are totally callous in grossly ignoring the values and philosophy of Tagore. If we hold on to it, then humanity across us will be the biggest beneficiary, those not will be a big loser. As days pass, Rabindranath Tagore will remain an asset through his works. This thought about him is no doubt vital to us. That is the reason, birth and death will remain an integral part of human life.
Sujayendra Das is a columnist
based in Calcutta, India.
