Rabindranath Tagore’s timeless masterpiece, Gitanjali, is a collection of deeply moving and spiritually uplifting poems that transcends boundaries of time, culture, and language.

It is an honour to write about such a revered piece of literature during the National Poetry Writing Month (NaPoWriMo)  of April.

The original poems of Gitanjali were written in Bengali, the native language of Tagore. It was published in 1910. He then translated them to English in 1912. The translation of Gitanjali by Tagore himself adds to its authenticity and preserves the poet’s original intent. Rabindranath Tagore won a Nobel Prize for Gitanjali in 1913. 

The most striking aspects of Gitanjali is its simplicity and elegance. Tagore’s writing style is graceful and fluid, capturing the essence of his thoughts with remarkable clarity. Most of the poems capture the conversations of the poet with God, keeping the language as simple as possible. Tagore’s attempt to bring out hope and the possibility to have conversations with God makes the book extraordinarily beautiful. 

The poems are written in the style of the era, where words and spellings differ from today’s English. We can see the usage of words like thou, thee, thy, etc. in every poem. 

Tagore explores a wide range of topics, from the beauty of nature to the depths of human emotions. He contemplates the eternal questions of existence, the meaning of life, and the intricate relationship between the individual and the divine. 

Gitanjali has an ability to touch the core of the reader. Tagore’s words resonate long even after the book is closed. They have the power to stir the soul, evoke emotions, and provoke introspection. Each poem is a miniature masterpiece, crafted with care and imbued with profound wisdom. 

Gitanjali is a book that invites us to ponder the mysteries of life and embrace the beauty that lies within and around us. It is a poetic symphony that deserves to be cherished and celebrated for centuries to come.

Gitanjali remains a timeless masterpiece captivating the readers with its profound insight, exquisite language and spiritual depth. Gitanjali is no doubt a treasure that deserves a place on every bookshelf.

✍️©️Sheetal Pradhan Deshpande