Tagore's pride
I reluctantly agree with some points that Justice Muhammad Habibur Rahman has put forward about Tagore and his grandfather, Prince Dwarakanath Tagore. He was welcomed by Queen Victoria and King Louis because they had to keep the interest of the empire in mind. Indeed, he met many writers too including Charles Dickens in parties organised and paid for by Dwarakanath Tagore. But what Dickens thought of him Justice Rahman did not fully elaborate. Dickens called him the “Oriental Croesus” (who was king of Lydia until he was defeated by the Persians about 547 BC). I do not know if Dickens honoured Dwarakanath calling him “Oriental Croesus”.
So far Rabindranath is concerned my short comment is that, in Tagore we find a poet, a novelist, a dramatist, an essayist, a composer, a painter and even a singer. He was a versatile genius who dealt with so many sides of art and culture. But he was a cruel zamindar too!
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments