The early 20th century is certainly best known for the Bengali poet and mystic, Rabindranath Tagore (b. May 7, 1861, Kolkata – d. August 7, 1941, Kolkata) who towers head and shoulders above the rest.

He won international acclaim in 1911 with the publication of the English version of ‘Gitanjali’ (1910; “Song Offerings”)–a collection of over 100 inspirational and devotional poems.

In 1913, he was the first Indian to be awarded the Nobel Prize in literature, primarily for ‘Gitanjali’, which was much praised by the great Irish poet, William Butler Yeats and the American poet, Ezra Pound. ‘Gitanjali’ comprises poems which are an invocation to God. Devoid of aggression and angst, they are like a breath of fresh air, which englightens the soul. ‘Gitanjali’s canvas encompasses life’s experiences with an innocence and simplicity that one does not find elsewhere in literature.

Tagore achieved fame as a poet, playwrite, novelist, painter, essayist, musician, lecturer and social reformer. He was most influential in introducing the best of Indian culture to the West and vice versa. His tours across continents gave him the privilege of being the voice of India’s spiritual heritage.