Essay Database

Thank you for your observations re. the "Tagore and Jana Gana Mana" article. Your observations are appropriate and understandable; interestingly, they are along very similar lines as I had earlier received in feedback from another correspondent. First of all, let me mention at the outset that in raising or debating a speculative issue about someone who is no longer with us is almost guaranteed to be beyond any resolution. It is much like the classic …

…role in trying to unite Bengal and Bengalis against the offensive British proposal- it reads like pure legend, yet much of it is indeed true. In studying that history, I hope that Tagore's immense capacity to inspire will be better understood, and in the light of that revelation, I hope, his unfortunate inability to inspire India's freedom fighters by the Jana Gana Mana ode to his Motherland will be seen in a more forgiving light.