I just discovered Rabindranath Tagore. Tell me something

[bloodyjack]

Anyone familiar w/ his stuff who can offer recommendations excluding Gitanjali?

[MsTryska]

1. I've actually never read Tagore....

that's a bengali thing.


But i'm glad you like it. can you give an example?

[bloodyjack]

3. well they have published english translations you know

I dont know bengali. my dad sort of does (he's not from bengal, mind) and I've seen one or two of the movies they churn out. it's a very melodious language, very soft.

I guess I'll post some of his verses here for you if you'd like

On many an idle day I grieved over lost time
It is never lost, my Lord. Thou hast taken every moment of my life in thine own hands.
Hidden in the heart of things thou art nourishing seeds into sprouts, buds into blossoms, and ripening flowers into fruitfulness.
I was tired and sleeping on my idle bed when I imagined all work had ceased. In the morning I woke up and found my garden full with wonders of flowers.

That's one. Here's another.

Death, thy servant, is at my door. He has crossed the unknown sea and brought thy call to my home.
The night is dark and my heart is fearful—yet I will take up the lamp, open my gates and bow to him my welcome. It is thy messenger who stands at my door.
I will worship him with folded hands and with tears. I will worship him placing at his feet the treasure of my heart.
He will go back with his errand done, leaving a dark shadow on my morning; and in my desolate home only my forlorn self will remain as my last offering to thee.

I'd be happy to transcribe more verses later if this has piqued your interest.

[MsTryska]

6. Thanks!

He is quite descriptive isn't he? Interesting stuff.

My preference is still Kahlil Gibran, but he's not quite poetic the way Tagore is.

oh and by Bengali - i meant he's a national figure to them, and they worship the ground he walks on. Many of us non-bengalis don't get exposed to him as much.

[LiberalEsto]

2. My mother loved Tagore

and left me his book Gintanjali.

Surprisingly, he was a Unitarian Universalist, same as I am. He wrote a number of prayers which UUs still use.

I believe he was knighted because he's often referred to as Sir Rabindranath Tagore. And he was also a dramatist.

[MsTryska]

7. He was Unitarian Universalist?

I had no idea.....

[Richard D]

4. Songs of Kabir

My favorite translation of Kabir's amazing poems/prayers. IMNVHO the deepest translation, and the one with the greatest understanding of Kabir.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

5. i am related to tagore