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137 reviews for:
The Gitanjali (English): The Nobel prize Winner Book for Literature
Rabindranath Tagore
4.14 AVERAGE
137 reviews for:
The Gitanjali (English): The Nobel prize Winner Book for Literature
Rabindranath Tagore
4.14 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
এটি প্রথম বার পড়লাম। দারুন লেগেছে। ঠাকুমা ছোট বেলায় রবীন্দ্রনাথ ঠাকুরের গলপো শুনাতেন। এখন পরে বুঝতে পেরেছি তিনি কত বড় কবি ছিলেন।
Safe to say no other poetry i will ever read will ever be able to do what these poems did to me. No other poetry could ever make me feel what these poems did. No other poetry could ever be Gitanjali!!
Before reading Gitanjali I firmly believed that translations don't have the same tone and depth of the original text, but that changed after I read this. Gitanjali is a small but sprawling book about devotion, love, despair, and about Life of the ordinary. These things are so well thought of and written that one would forgive the fact that there is no rhythm or rhyme in Tagore's Poetry. (Of course, that's an another class of poetry onto itself, but I always enjoyed the rhythmic superiority traditional poetry more.)
In Gitanjali, Tagore implores for the arrival, presence, and acceptance of his Lord. He needs these things for all of his time, in life, in death, and also whatever comes after that. He craves the love of his Lord, but he does in vain; He loves none but his Lord; He sings and writes for his Lord. What one might find astonishing his utter and uninterrupted devotion to his Lord. Tagore devotion seems s powerful that the reader is easily convinced that his devotion extends beyond his writings, well into and, as he believed, past his Life.
There are also Poems that reflect on provincial, Royal, and criminal life. Even through these poems, Tagore searches for the only thing he desires, the king of kings, his Lord. One might think that this recurring theme might get monotonous, but Tagore impeccable mastery of writing leaves this volume in the company of the immaculate works of poetry.
One of the other merits of Gitanjali is how easily it can be interpreted and understood. Unlike traditional Poetry, Gitanjali takes most its material from nature and Life and conveys it in the most explicit way. Tagore writes about the skies and seas, all the while providing the reader with a moral one finds in a simple fable. Like I wrote, this is small but sprawling volume about pure art.
In Gitanjali, Tagore implores for the arrival, presence, and acceptance of his Lord. He needs these things for all of his time, in life, in death, and also whatever comes after that. He craves the love of his Lord, but he does in vain; He loves none but his Lord; He sings and writes for his Lord. What one might find astonishing his utter and uninterrupted devotion to his Lord. Tagore devotion seems s powerful that the reader is easily convinced that his devotion extends beyond his writings, well into and, as he believed, past his Life.
There are also Poems that reflect on provincial, Royal, and criminal life. Even through these poems, Tagore searches for the only thing he desires, the king of kings, his Lord. One might think that this recurring theme might get monotonous, but Tagore impeccable mastery of writing leaves this volume in the company of the immaculate works of poetry.
One of the other merits of Gitanjali is how easily it can be interpreted and understood. Unlike traditional Poetry, Gitanjali takes most its material from nature and Life and conveys it in the most explicit way. Tagore writes about the skies and seas, all the while providing the reader with a moral one finds in a simple fable. Like I wrote, this is small but sprawling volume about pure art.
The poetry is very soothing. I feel one cannot soak the whole beauty of this book just by reading it once. I will reread this beautiful book over and over again. I don't enjoy reading poetry but this book is special. I enjoyed reading this book. I read this book in a readathon. I will definitely reread it but all my time.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Though poems are not my strong area i decided to read Gitanjali. Most of the works in this book are simple, sweet and so meaningful but some I couldn't grasp. The old English was definitely so refreshing and different.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Gitanjali: Offerings to the divine
A Bengali doctor meets Mr Yeats. He tells him ' I read Tagore,every day to forget the troubles in the world'. Mr Yeats was still very curious. Meeting Indians,curators he is surprised by the honor bestowed to the poet. The flowing of the rich mixture of religion, mysticism and poetry smoothens,eases and delights all.
We have to tread our own journeys to the unknown. Lighting our own lamps, swimming in the ambiguous seas, gliding like the restless heavy skies , we experience some of the thoughts shown in the poems.
1. Waiting
There is little respite, naptimes for the seeker. Like a tumultuous lover,waiting outside the beloved doors. Their is no fear of the thundering clouds or quakes below. It is very unlike the modern day restlessness born out of seeking excessive materials,boredom and dejection.
2. Preparation
The seeker, like the bride is always ready. She has her simple mat and lamp shining ceaselessly. She sings with joy,silence and also with tears of joy. There is the presence of the sounds of footsteps outside the house.
She is cleaning her mind from bad thoughts and vanity. When will the hour of arrival come?
3. Silence
There is a deep stillness around us even within the endless noises. the singer is asked to sing to Him. He is baffled and speechless. People ask the seeker about God.he can't describe and mention him. the one resides in the fragrance within his temple. Getting lost in the hustle and bustle of life,makes us look for escapes. Let's stay for a while,sitting in silence.
4. Joy
Joy is everywhere. Especially in the nests,the golden lights,the notorious waves,the heavy skies,the fluttery leaves,the cooing doves, the lotus petals,the cycles of life and death. It echoes the touch of the King of kings.
5. Death
As the dark visitor comes to take the seeker away. there are no signs of anxiety. It is a great occasion to submerge the soul in the eternal ocean. The mind no longer clings to the desires of yesterday .
6. Superstition
The cunning may build giant temples,wear shiny Robes and carry beads. The almighty will himself depart from their premises and play with the village boys outside. Your excessive ornaments and fancy jewellery is an hindrance to be close to the lover of innocence and plainness.
7. Walls
Unaware beings build steep, skyscraping walls. the deceit ,rejections,ambitions make them chained like a bonded slave. The separation of the self from the other leads to further neurosis, suicides,crimes of passions of all kinds.
8. Be like the child.
There is a endless world of seas. The children come there to play.they don't know how to swim or catch fishes. They discover him in the simple shells. While,the ship of the explorer wrecks.this poem reminds me of religious stories of Jesus which focus on being like a child,who in his simplicity of heart can receive the divine gifts easily. It also hold true,when we are trying to learn something new ,fresh with curiosity and easy flowing.
9. Union
The fusion happens sponetousely. When the traveller sleeps,he comes near him. The empty,vacant seat gets filled with flowers of different kinds. There is no force or compulsion
When we do anything with force,there is a anxiety and insecurity. The natural way of doing promotes harmony( Lao Tzu).
There are numerous images and experiences in my mind reading these poems. It is a enigmatic
tune by the enchanted Indian sage. The rational and sane minds can't unravel it.
A Bengali doctor meets Mr Yeats. He tells him ' I read Tagore,every day to forget the troubles in the world'. Mr Yeats was still very curious. Meeting Indians,curators he is surprised by the honor bestowed to the poet. The flowing of the rich mixture of religion, mysticism and poetry smoothens,eases and delights all.
We have to tread our own journeys to the unknown. Lighting our own lamps, swimming in the ambiguous seas, gliding like the restless heavy skies , we experience some of the thoughts shown in the poems.
1. Waiting
There is little respite, naptimes for the seeker. Like a tumultuous lover,waiting outside the beloved doors. Their is no fear of the thundering clouds or quakes below. It is very unlike the modern day restlessness born out of seeking excessive materials,boredom and dejection.
2. Preparation
The seeker, like the bride is always ready. She has her simple mat and lamp shining ceaselessly. She sings with joy,silence and also with tears of joy. There is the presence of the sounds of footsteps outside the house.
She is cleaning her mind from bad thoughts and vanity. When will the hour of arrival come?
3. Silence
There is a deep stillness around us even within the endless noises. the singer is asked to sing to Him. He is baffled and speechless. People ask the seeker about God.he can't describe and mention him. the one resides in the fragrance within his temple. Getting lost in the hustle and bustle of life,makes us look for escapes. Let's stay for a while,sitting in silence.
4. Joy
Joy is everywhere. Especially in the nests,the golden lights,the notorious waves,the heavy skies,the fluttery leaves,the cooing doves, the lotus petals,the cycles of life and death. It echoes the touch of the King of kings.
5. Death
As the dark visitor comes to take the seeker away. there are no signs of anxiety. It is a great occasion to submerge the soul in the eternal ocean. The mind no longer clings to the desires of yesterday .
6. Superstition
The cunning may build giant temples,wear shiny Robes and carry beads. The almighty will himself depart from their premises and play with the village boys outside. Your excessive ornaments and fancy jewellery is an hindrance to be close to the lover of innocence and plainness.
7. Walls
Unaware beings build steep, skyscraping walls. the deceit ,rejections,ambitions make them chained like a bonded slave. The separation of the self from the other leads to further neurosis, suicides,crimes of passions of all kinds.
8. Be like the child.
There is a endless world of seas. The children come there to play.they don't know how to swim or catch fishes. They discover him in the simple shells. While,the ship of the explorer wrecks.this poem reminds me of religious stories of Jesus which focus on being like a child,who in his simplicity of heart can receive the divine gifts easily. It also hold true,when we are trying to learn something new ,fresh with curiosity and easy flowing.
9. Union
The fusion happens sponetousely. When the traveller sleeps,he comes near him. The empty,vacant seat gets filled with flowers of different kinds. There is no force or compulsion
When we do anything with force,there is a anxiety and insecurity. The natural way of doing promotes harmony( Lao Tzu).
There are numerous images and experiences in my mind reading these poems. It is a enigmatic
tune by the enchanted Indian sage. The rational and sane minds can't unravel it.