Dr Paramita shares her experience with Tagore, as she grew up. She pens a poem in his tribute, as part of the Special Feature,. an exclusive for Different Truths.

From early childhood, Rabindranath Tagore has been a part and parcel of my life. Both my parents used to recite his poems and my mother an exponent of Rabindra Sangeet used to sing Tagore’s songs so well. They would quote him in our everyday life. So Tagore, the bearded bard, was like someone next door. So my poem expresses the same feelings. On the 159th birth anniversary of Tagore, the poem is my ode to him.

Rabindranath Tagore

Oh, Great Poet! I salute you on your birth anniversary.
My very life has been inspired by you.
My expressions and thoughts
have all stemmed from you.

Born in a Bengali family,
Your poems and stories
have been told by my parents.
To encourage me and show me
what is wrong and right.
To help me make this world better and bright.

You have written about every season.
We quote you for every reason.
You have expressed every emotion.
You have given us immense motivation.

Oh, how? Oh, how could you understand?
The feelings of every man and woman of every country and every land?

With simple words, you have expressed,
The meaning of life,
The meaning of love.
The meaning of feelings.
The trick to stopping all strife.

When can I stop your praise, my poet?
When can I stop my admiration, my poet?
From morning to night you are in my thoughts.

Picture design Anumita Roy, Different Truths

Dr. Paramita Mukherjee Mullick

Dr. Paramita Mukherjee Mullick is a scientist, a globally loved, award-winning poet, editor and a literary curator. She has published 11 books and her poems have been translated into 41 world and Indian languages. Paramita promotes peace, multilingual, global and indigenous poetry. Her writings also make people aware about conservation and climate change. Apart from numerous awards from Indian organisations she has received the Gold Rose from Buenos Aires (MS Productions) and the Panorama Literature award in 2022 from Greece. She heads two forums in Mumbai.