Gitanjali and Fruit-Gathering is a collection of two books by Rabindranath Tagore, a Nobel Prize-winning poet, philosopher, and polymath from India. The first book, Gitanjali, is a collection of 103 poems that were originally written in Bengali and translated into English by Tagore himself. The poems are deeply spiritual and explore themes such as love, devotion, and the search for meaning in life. They are widely regarded as some of the most beautiful and profound poems in the English language.The second book, Fruit-Gathering, is a collection of 51 poems that were also originally written in Bengali and translated into English by Tagore. These poems are more personal and introspective than those in Gitanjali, and they explore themes such as nature, human relationships, and the passing of time. Like the poems in Gitanjali, they are marked by Tagore's lyrical language and his deep insights into the human condition.Together, Gitanjali and Fruit-Gathering offer a comprehensive portrait of Tagore's poetic genius and his unique perspective on life, love, and spirituality. They are essential reading for anyone interested in Indian literature, poetry, or philosophy, and they continue to inspire and captivate readers around the world.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 "because of his profoundly sensitive, fresh and beautiful verse, by which, with consummate skill, he has made his poetic thought, expressed in his own English words, a part of the literature of the West."
Tagore modernised Bengali art by spurning rigid classical forms and resisting linguistic strictures. His novels, stories, songs, dance-dramas, and essays spoke to topics political and personal. Gitanjali (Song Offerings), Gora (Fair-Faced), and Ghare-Baire (The Home and the World) are his best-known works, and his verse, short stories, and novels were acclaimed—or panned—for their lyricism, colloquialism, naturalism, and unnatural contemplation. His compositions were chosen by two nations as national anthems: India's Jana Gana Mana and Bangladesh's Amar Shonar Bangla.
Poetry should be savoured, not devoured. This is a book to pick up between reads, or before drifting into slumber.
These are not, excuse the expression, “run-of-the-mill” poems. They do not lean on rhyme as a crutch, nor do they follow predictable patterns. Instead, they are deeply philosophical, crafted to make you think. The figurative language stands out within this anthology; each symbol and idea urging the reader to slow down, to savour the simplicity of each word and the power of each phrase strung along.
At first, I had a singular favorite poem, a singular piece that profoundly resonated with me. But quickly, that number grew to a handful, then a dozen and now I’ve lost count. Each ode revealing something new; another layer waiting to be uncovered which drew me deeper into Tagore'S world.
With time to ponder, its intricate and enriched vocabulary became more and more enlaced in beauty. There was a poem, in particular, I did not understand at first. I reread it on loop, minutes stretching into eternity, grasping at its meaning, its symbolism, its depths. I pondered for what felt like forty days and forty nights. And today, in this very moment, I find myself able to articulate my interpretation at last. The beautiful thing is, every poem was like this; a period of reflection, a slow unraveling of Tagore’s true meaning. And as I sifted through his words, I began to see patterns emerging. Love, Religion, and Life. These three themes wove themselves through my favorite poems, each one inviting endless interpretation, each one offering something new with every reading.
Had I been blessed with immortality, I would spend a millennium meticulously decoding and interpreting Tagore’s work. Yet even that amount of time would not be enough. It wouldn’t do him justice. Tagore was a genius. And now, if ever I am asked the age old question, “If you could talk to anyone, dead or alive, who would you choose? ” I will know my answer.
What an amazing work of poetry! It resonates much with the condition of human hearts in the modern world even if it was penned down in historical years. Weaving the trivial matters of the heart with the beauty of nature is what Gurudev specialized in.