History
Rabindranath Tagore was born in Calcutta in the Bengal province on the 7th of May 1861 into a prominent and wealthy family.

During his long life -he died aged 80 years- his interests were manifold. He travelled the world as a philosopher, poet, writer, composer, social reformer and educationalist. In 1901 he founded his own school which transcended the boundaries or caste and creed. This school grew into a university and international cultural centre.

Tagore, a contemporary of Ghandi, played an important part in rebuilding a new cultural awareness of his people. When India finally gained independence in 1947, a text written by Tagore was chosen as the Indian national anthem. In 1913 he became the first Asian to be awarded the Nobel prize for literature. His philosophical and mystical sayings made him famous all over the world:

On the rays or the light
flashes the rhythm or the moment.
Blazing at first, it now glows,
the climax or happiness.

External things
are called true wealth.
Make that I manifest internal treasures
and achieve fullness or heart.

When love expelled grief
I know in that lives the seed or happiness.

From Sphulinga