When Baishakh arrives, social media is flooded with pictures and quotes of Rabindranath Tagore. Some post lines from Amar Sonar Bangla, while others share verses from Gitanjali or change their profile pictures to his familiar portrait. Looking at Facebook newsfeeds, it appears that the new generation holds Rabindranath close to its heart. But an important question arises: is this love limited to celebration, or does it extend to reading his works as well?
If we are honest, we must admit that many young people know Rabindranath mainly through a few popular quotations and the national anthem. How many have actually read Gitanjali? How many have completed the novel Gora or experienced the emotional depth of Raktakarabi? Faced with such questions, many fall silent.
Rabindranath began writing poetry at the age of eight, and his literary career spanned nearly seven decades. He produced more than two thousand songs, numerous volumes of poetry, novels, short stories, plays, essays and paintings. Yet only a small portion of today's youth truly engages with this vast literary treasure.
Still, blaming the younger generation entirely would be unfair. They do love Rabindranath, but the nature of that love has changed. Earlier generations discovered him through books, while today's youth often encounter him through reels, short videos and Spotify playlists.
Our education system also shares responsibility for this growing distance. In schools, Rabindranath is often taught merely as an exam subject. Students memorise biographical details and literary notes without understanding the deeper meaning of his works. As a result, Rabindranath remains confined to examination papers rather than becoming part of students' inner lives. Ironically, Rabindranath himself opposed this mechanical approach to education. His vision at Visva-Bharati University was based on joyful and creative learning. Yet today, his works are too often trapped within a rigid and joyless curriculum.
Sadia Islam Kasfia
Student, Bengali Literature
Jagannath University
sadiaislamkasfia@gmail.com
