New Delhi, May 8: India celebrated the 165th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, the Nobel Laureate poet, philosopher, and educationist, on May 7, 2026. Popularly known as Gurudev, Tagore remains one of the most influential figures in Indian literature, music, art, and education.

Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti is observed annually with cultural programs, poetry recitations, Rabindra Sangeet performances, and seminars, particularly in West Bengal and Bangladesh. This year, the celebrations were held on May 7 according to the Gregorian calendar and May 9 on the Bengali calendar (25th Boishakh), both dates carrying cultural significance.

Who Was Rabindranath Tagore?
Born in Kolkata on May 7, 1861, to Debendranath Tagore and Sarada Devi, Tagore belonged to a family central to Bengal’s cultural renaissance. In 1913, he became the first Asian to win the Nobel Prize in Literature for his celebrated poetry collection Gitanjali. Beyond poetry, he was a novelist, playwright, composer, painter, philosopher, and educationist whose works transformed modern Bengali literature and deeply influenced Indian cultural life.

Tagore’s Legacy in Education and National Identity
Tagore believed education should nurture creativity, harmony with nature, and independent thinking. To promote these ideals, he founded Visva-Bharati University at Santiniketan, which became a unique center for blending Indian traditions with global perspectives. He also composed India’s national anthem, Jana Gana Mana, and Bangladesh’s Amar Sonar Bangla, while his style influenced Sri Lanka’s anthem Sri Lanka Matha.

Renouncing Knighthood
In 1919, following the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, Tagore renounced the knighthood awarded to him by the British Crown in 1915. His protest letter rejecting the honor became a powerful symbol of resistance against colonial brutality.

Also Read: Guv Ravi Dissolves West Bengal Assembly, Clears Deck for New Govt formation

Celebrations Across India and Beyond
This year’s Jayanti was marked by Rabindra Sangeet concerts, poetry recitations, dance dramas, literary seminars, and art exhibitions. Santiniketan remained the focal point, attracting scholars, artists, and admirers from across India and abroad. Bengali communities worldwide also observed the day with cultural tributes.

Timeless Quotes
Tagore’s words continue to inspire generations. Among his most famous lines are:

“Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark.”

“Love does not claim possession, but gives freedom.”

“The highest education is that which does not merely give us information but makes our life in harmony with all existence.”