Tagore in our times
GenNext may not be singing Tagore songs but his philosophy does hold relevance today, writes Ritusmita Biswas

In the 150th year of Rabindranath Tagore’s anniversary celebration, for the modern youth, the bard seems nothing but a literary figure confined to their textbooks. This is more evident among the students of elite schools, who prefer to opt for ballet, salsa or any other western dance/music form rather than opting to learn Rabindra Sangeet.

Says 48-year-old Nirupama Haldar, mother of two teenage daughters, who go to one of the most sophisticated schools of Kolkata, "What was modern in yesteryear, has become irrelevant today. During our teenage years, learning Rabindra Sangeet was a must for every Bengali girl and we celebrated Rabindra Jayanti with gusto! Such festivities are no longer a part of the Kolkatan teenagers routine."

Photographer and installation artist Leena Kejriwal, on the board of Calcutta International School, agrees, "Why only Tagore? Most of these young people today hardly have any idea of the Indian culture — be it any classical dance or music. Tagore is no exception and young people today hardly know anything about him apart from what is in the textbooks."

Entrepreneur and financial strategist Korak Kahali says, "There is definitely a gap. Today’s youth need to understand Tagore’s works and analyse their relation to modern-day, practical application to work, politics, economics and education."

Korak, who spent a large part of his childhood in Santiniketan, is deeply influenced by Tagore’s work. He says it provides him with strength in difficult times. Widely travelled, he feels, "Tagore is more read and discussed in Europe than in India. I remember discussing Tagore with Russian and Hungarian friends, doing their PHD in nuclear medicine at Erasmus Centre in Rotterdam — this is something I miss with my friends in India."

Actor Anshuman, however, disagrees, "Being born and brought up in Bengal, how can I not be inspired by this literary genius? As an actor, it is important for me to draw inspiration from great works. I have always been an avid reader of poems written by Tagore. He is relevant even today, not only for me but even to other artists, poets, filmmakers. I am doing a movie Bidehir Khoj-e, which is based on a story by Tagore."

Agrees developer Rahul Saraf, MD, Forum Projects, "Tagore, as a literary icon, inspires each and every Bengali. Not only artists but even for a real estate developer like me his works inspire me explore my creativity."

"Tagore’s poetry had inspired us to create Deya, which in Bengali means ‘a cloud’. To the residents of our luxury condominium, it is a recreational club space suspended in the air like a cloud. At nights, Deya will glow in the sky. In an industry defined by bricks and mortar, I was inspired by Tagore’s poetry to create a fantasy."

Educationist and e-director of Heritage School, Probir Roy, feels that Tagore today is not limited to textbooks but encompasses a wider gamut in our social life.

"True, Rabindra Sangeet is no longer as popular as there has also been a decline in functions that were a ritual in Rabindra Jayanti. However, that is but natural. Music and tastes change with the times. Despite that, I believe that Tagore is present in our lives today as never before. Take, for example, his theory of education that upholds a free choice — the education system today is changing. More and more parents are realising that a child needs to excel in whatever he is good at and not indulge in the mad rat race."

Roy also talks about national integration. "This was essentially a concept coined by Tagore, who believed we are Indians first and our regional entities come later. This is something the youth of today also believes in. So, maybe they are not singing the Tagore songs, yet it cannot be denied that Tagore’s philosophy has finally been accepted by society and held in high esteem by the youth."

Pradip Agarwal, CEO of The Heritage School, says Tagore’s philosophy touches the core of human life. It is the duty of every educationist and leader to inspire young people with such philosophies that would guide them. "How can Tagore be irrelevant? He was a complete person, whose creativity encompassed each and every aspect of life. Over time, his music or poetry might decrease in popularity but his philosophy is something which is eternal and would stay with youth across the country for many a number of years."