Rabindranath Tagore Books

An excellent sampler of Tagore's work collected by his literary secretary. Contains poetry, conversations with Einstein and H.G. Wells, plays, fables, short stories, essays as well as educational, political and and biographical information. A must read for all Tagorophiles.

Nobel Laurate, poet, writer, philosopher, musician, painter, educator - Tagore was a multifaceted genius and a renaissance man par excellence! The section on philosophical meditations gives a cross-section of the cosmic vision of his legendary mastermind. Every page of this book resonates his own words; "The world speaks to me in colours, my soul answers in music". Can't recomment this enough for anyone who is interested in literature or philosophy in general or the works of Tagore in particular.

This is a delightful little book, full of insights from poets and philosophers who span more than 20 centuries and as many languages. While most of the authors are famous, most of the quotations are not, so you can expect surprises. Simple line-drawn illustrations by the editor, Cicely Buckley, add to the charm of the volume. This timeless classic will make a great gift for anyone you care about, no matter their age.

Margaret Grierson, archivist at Smith College, wrote of the jewels in this collection from 25 centuries and 5 continents, on the Art of Living, Freedom from Oppression and the Natural Way, by LAO TSU, haiku, and Persian poets. With index by authors and original languages, which are often included with the English translations: the Greeks and Romans (Pericles and Robert Kennedy share a page on war); Isaiah and Palestinian poets and JFK speak of the children. Antonio Machado and a Japanese proverb remind us that "we make our own way as we go...se hace camino al andar", Rabelais says laughter is the essence of man while Camus turns a corner to discover the beauty of morning dew. A Finnish proverb says "when you drink the water, think of the well", while the Russian version says "remember the well-digger." Harlan Ellison (script writer of one of the memorable Star Wars scenarios) gives the worst case scenario for the world, against which Eluard's Seasons and Asian wisdom from Persia and the far East shine, while Thomas Hardy reminds us, in planning, to take a good look at the worst. Listen to Cervantes: La musica compone los animos descompuestos ~ Music restores broken souls and lightens the worries of the mind. Heed the advice of a Nigerian proverb: The biting fly gets no satisfaction on the back of a turtle. Scott Momaday and other native Americans wisely propose what it takes to make a beautiful day. 3rd edition now includes e.e.cummings, Thoreau, Wordsworth, Paul Eluard.

He is one of the great ones to come from India to teach in America. His books are inspirational and entertaining. He will brighten your life.

Before his, I had read only essays and a few poems by Tagore. So, I would have to say, this book brings you closer to Tagore, the story teller, though all his stories, plays and poems reflect this philosophic nature. Each story brings out the complexities in characters, who are not very different from us. Yet, it paints a very clear picture of pre-independence, late nineteenth and early twentieth century India.

A concise report of Tagore's life precedes what can be considered, altogether with Radice's, the most beautifully rendered translations of Tagore by someone else than himself. Don't let this book go neither... God: preserve the translator's life and competence as long as You did for the original author.

The king lives in a dark chamber. He is alienated from the people by the royal persons and other demagogues. He is strong, an immense source of power, but he is also lonely. He is used by the court for his power; whoever stands in their way of exploitation, they pit the king against him. They transform the villagers into nameless, passionless phantoms.

Then comes this girl to the city, looking for her love who is missing. She meets the king, and the king realizes his loneliness and longing. She is also a rebellion against the structures imposed by the powers to be. She awakens the humanity in the villagers by her trust, belief, tenderness.

Threatened, the demagogues scheme the lover into a fight against the king, and he is destroyed. Broken-hearted, she sacrifices herself with a call for rebellion. The king realizes how his destructive power has been manipulated by the demagogues, and joins the fight against himself.

This book was my first introduction to Tagore's works. The photography caught my attention enough to purchase the book. The poetry has touched me so much that I continue to read it over and over again.

These poems take you for a break to a beautiful mystical realm. It is One of the books that you should keep next to you.

Tagore was well known as a poet, but he was more of a philosopher. His philosopher self was evident in all of his works - poems, songs, essays and paintings.

These lectures - among many - delivered in America are some revealation of his genius as a thinker. It is a rewarding experience to read the lectures. They are very lucid as Tagore took great care to convey his message to his audience with absolute beauty. He takes examples very frequently to make his points. The examples are awesome.

A must read.

This short play is greatr. It made me think about my own life and what I may or may not be doing. It made me think about what is real or unreal. It's well worth the half hour it takes to read.