Tagore’s Thoughts Interpreted in Photographs

When I had read “Gitanjali” the very first time, I was in high-school. I had received the masterpiece as one of my prizes for the Best Student of the School Award. All through these years, I have read the poems of the book for several times, and still, it has not lost its charm. I am a huge admirer of Rabindranath Tagore, the philosopher, the poet, the creator of the National anthem of India (& Bangladesh too).

To Indians, Tagore needs no introduction. But as many readers of this blog are non-Indians too, who may not know him, let me add here that he was the first Nobel laureate from Asia winning the prestigious honor for his collection of poems, “Gitanjali”, in 1913.

I am in absolute awe of the way he has contemplated nature and life through his simple but surreal words…And therefore while creating photographs, unknowingly or knowingly I keep getting inspired by those words.

Here is a collection of some of my photographs where I have attempted to translate some short jottings of Gurudev Tagore into the form of images.

(1)

 I do not ask thee into the house.

Come into my infinite loneliness, my lover.

(From:”Stray birds”)

(2)

”What language is thine, O Sea?”

“The language of eternal question.”

“What language is Thy, O Sky?”

“The language of eternal silence”

(From: “Stray birds”)

(3)

The leaves of the trees,

In the spring and the rains,

Tell a tale

Of which nothing remains

When they fall

To blend with the soil

(From:”Sparks”)

(4)

 “How may I sing to thee and worship, O Sun?” 

asked the little flower.

“By the simple silence of thy purity,” answered the sun.

(From:”Stray birds”)

(5)

 “The roots below the earth claim no rewards for making the branches fruitful.”

(From:”Stray birds”)

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Images Copyright © 2012 Gyaneshwari Dave