Description
Nationalism is a collection of lectures delivered by Rabindranath Tagore in Japan, in 1916. This collection is divided into three essays: Nationalism in Japan, Nationalism in the West, and Nationalism in India. During the time when these lectures were delivered, the First World War was unfolding. Tagore’s lectures critiquing nationalism led to a mixed response.
The lectures critique the concepts of nation and nationalism that turn men and women away from their self-sacrificing and creative nature. Tagore cautions us against aggressive imperialistic tendencies of nationalism found in the West and Japan. He proposes an alternate definition of nationalism for India—one that is shaped through the works of medieval mystics, poets and spiritual figures, such as Guru Nanak, Sant Kabir Das, and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
Tagore’s thoughts on nation and nationalism bore a lasting influence on Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. Interestingly, Tagore criticized Gandhi’s Non-cooperation Movement as narrow, and dangerous. In his infamous meeting with Gandhi in 1921, he focused on India’s hospitality and the country’s potential to contribute towards creating a more united world. These discussions helped Gandhi rework the meaning of nationalism. Tagore’s ideas on diversity and inclusivity went on to help Nehru shape up his vision of India as a synthesis between tradition and modernity.
Author's Description
Rabindranath Tagore (1861–1941)
Popularly known as Gurudev, Rabindranath Tagore was born into a rich zamindar (landowners) family on the 7th of May, 1861, in Calcutta (now Kolkata), West Bengal. Tagore grew up to become a famous poet, writer, and composer. However, he also became a passionate advocate of humanism and internationalism— especially during the war years—and India's freedom struggle.
Tagore’s anxieties surrounding nationalism grew as it saw resurgence in the politics of the time, following the First World War. Tagore took a critical stance at the rise of nationalism in the East and West during the 20th century. This is evident in his university lectures as well as essays, such as The Nation and East and West, in which he visited the themes of nation, nationalism, and violence. Between 1878 and 1932, Tagore travelled to more than 30 countries, including the United States of America, Japan, United Kingdom, Java, and the Soviet Union. His commitment to revamping Indian education can be seen with the founding of Shantiniketan in 1863, and eventually Visva-Bharati University in 1921. He became the first non-European to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 1913. Although Tagore mostly wrote poetry, short stories, novels, and essays, he also wrote non-fiction, primarily centred on issues of history and spirituality.
Country Of Origin :- India
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