Even though, he was most famous as a poet, he was also an artist, novelist, playwright, philosopher and freedom fighter. Or simply, the writer of songs filled with love. His poetry covered a vast range of topics from nature to patriotism.
His mother Sharadadevi expired when he was still young, and his father rarely spent much quality time with him. As a result he grew up extremely sensitive and non - conventional. He could not tolerate any kind of authority, and so, his schooling suffered. But he made up for all this, with the beautiful, mystical poems that he wrote, right from childhood.
He received the Nobel Prize in Literature on Nov. 13, 1913, for his most famous work - 'Gitanjali'. This is a collection of poems that talk about life and death, love and its connection to the spirit. His well known novels written in Bengali are Gora, Vibha Raja aur Rani, Nauka Dubi and Binodini. Two of his short stories - Kabuliwallah and Kshudita Pashan have been immortalised.
Tagore had also been conferred the title of 'Sir' by the British Government but he returned that honour after the Jallianwallah Baug tragedy (Amritsar) in 1919.
He expired on August 8, 1941, but is immortalised by his work and the love in the hearts of the people of India.
