Look at some of Rabindranath Tagore’s lesser-known paintings

Rabindranath Tagore, also known as Gurudev, was an Indian Renaissance figure who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913 for his contribution to world literature. Tagore was a prolific artist and poet who produced a large body of work. Many people are unaware that Tagore was also a talented painter, in addition to his roles as a social reformer and an educator.

Animals and Composites

Doodles were the beginning of Tagore’s artistic journey. Unexpected shapes would emerge from crossed-out lines and words, inspired by memories of art and objects he had encountered in museums and books. “A probable animal that had unaccountably missed its chance of existence,” he wrote in one of his doodles, or “a bird that only soars in our dreams.” His works were a fusion of the familiar and the unfamiliar. It is possible to see the movements of an animal on an imaginary body, or a human gesture on an animal’s body.

Landscapes

The landscapes that Tagore creates are the extent of his art output. As a result of his discovery of painting, Tagore referred to the visible world as “a vast procession of forms.” He used to spend hours each day staring out his window at the various forms of nature. His silent conversations with nature provided him with a sense of companionship and support, which he greatly appreciated. He looked up at the sky in the early morning twilight and admired it. Tagore’s landscapes are the result of this inborn affection. His landscapes were typically painted in dusk light, with skies and forms forming ominous silhouettes against the backdrop of nature. His landscapes evoke a sense of mystery, unease, and silence in the viewer.

Dramatic Figures and Scenes

Moreover, Tagore did not give his paintings titles, thereby liberating them from the restrictions of literary imagination. He desired for his viewers to be able to interpret his paintings in their own unique way. This section of his paintings was heavily influenced by the experiences of a playwright. A dramatic theme permeates the animations, costumes, furniture, and colours used throughout the film. When viewed as a group, these paintings have the effect of silent films.

Human Faces and Characters

Throughout his art, the human face appears repeatedly, indicating his interest in human personality. Tagore’s writing connected the human appearance of a person to their emotions and essence. He was able to find work as a painter. His painted faces convey the depths of human emotion and the breadth of human experience. In his paintings, he creates mysterious and brooding faces that are dramatic and romantic in their expressions of wonder, fear, and melancholy. The majority of the women painted in his paintings wear flowing veils or saris that cover their hands and bodies, symbolising the Bengali women’s secrecy at the time. Their sad eyes and the dark shadows behind their faces suggest that they are unable to express themselves.