There are some people who are thousands of miles away but seem
to be the closest. Although there is no communication every day, it
seems that they are around, there is no one closer to us than them.
Here we conquer distance.
The Influence of Rabindranath Tagore
Growing up listening to Rabindranath’s music since childhood was a formative experience. Every morning, someone played Rabindra Sangeet on a music player in the house next to the math teacher’s, where I used to go for private lessons. In the afternoon, Rabindra Sangeet (Tagore songs) was played on a tape recorder at home, or at night, my uncle would hum while singing. That’s how this old Sage began to influence me. Not just songs or poems! From nursery rhymes to news, dramas, novels, paintings, he wanders everywhere. Rabindranath is inexorably linked to the existence and feelings of Bengal and Bengalis.
A Timeless Tune: Music’s Unchanging Friendship
There’s no season, no time for which he hasn’t written songs or poems. There are no feelings he hasn’t expressed. Whether the spirit is good or bad, morning, evening, or night, rain or spring, all seasons, all times, all feelings, Rabindra Sangeet seems to be a constant companion. Moreover, there are also stories, novels, nursery rhymes, poems.
I almost wondered what he might think of all my thoughts and feelings!! How all my thoughts, emotions, and feelings match one of his songs. But how long before my birth he left this world! Two centuries separate us, but the feelings and emotions are very similar. Listening to his songs reminds me every time of how much it feels like talking to him, how much I could argue with him; we talk about nature, songs, short stories. As if he were my close friend.
Tagore: A Friend, A Guardian
Sometimes I think he is my tutor, sometimes I think he is my peer, and sometimes I think he is my grandfather’s age. As if he is with me, he hears everything I say! He probably knew that would happen. Poets, writers, artists can see the future. How far ahead of his imagination was he writing 150 years ago? “Who are you, reading my poems in a hundred years?”
“আজি হতে শত বর্ষ পরে
কে তুমি পড়িছ বসি
আমার কবিতাখানি কৌতূহলভরে
আজি হতে শত বর্ষ পরে।”
This poem by Tagore, translated as “Who are you, reading my poems in a hundred years?”, is a poignant reflection on the enduring nature of art and how human emotions transcend time. The idea that he knew his works would touch future generations gives me chills. It’s as if he foresaw this timeless connection, this silent and profound exchange between him and me, across the ages.
Rabindranath Tagore, with his vast repertoire of works, managed to capture the essence of life and human emotions in a way that remains relevant even centuries later. His influence extends beyond geographical and temporal boundaries, touching the hearts and minds of people, no matter where they are or what era they live in.
What’s remarkable about Tagore is his ability to express the nuances of every human emotion through his writings and music. Whether you feel joyful, melancholic, in love, or introspective, there’s always a song or poem by Tagore that resonates with your mood. It’s this universality and timelessness of his works that make him so special.
A Constant Source of Inspiration
Growing up with Rabindra Sangeet as a constant soundtrack, I developed a deep emotional connection with his works. They became a guide, a friend, and a constant source of inspiration. Tagore, through his words and music, became an integral part of my life, an invisible companion who understands my deepest thoughts and feelings.
Timeless legacy of Tagore
In conclusion, the music and writings of Rabindranath Tagore transcend the barriers of time and space, creating a soul-to-soul connection between him and his readers and listeners. Through his works, he continues to live on and touch the lives of millions, bringing comfort, inspiration, and a sense of timeless connection.
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