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The 150 poems in this volume, including many new translations, cover the entire span of Tagore's life and illustrate his work in many significant genres and forms. Within the covers of a single volume, they offer a more representative range than ever before in English of Tagore's output in the field of poetry, which was a primary marker of his identity. The volume also includes a detailed introduction and extensive notes.
This collection captures the expansive lyrical evolution of Rabindranath Tagore, presenting the central conflict between the individual soul and the universal experience. Through a selection of 150 poems, the work tracks the protagonist's—the poet's—objective to reconcile the mundane realities of human existence with the transcendent beauty of the natural and spiritual worlds. The narrative framework is non-linear, organized to reflect the chronological and thematic shifts across Tagore's long career. The poems operate within the constraints of traditional Bengali verse forms, adapted into English to maintain the rhythmic and philosophical integrity of the original compositions.
Readers and critics frequently highlight the accessibility of these translations, noting that they successfully bridge the gap between complex Bengali imagery and English readability. Discussion often centers on the balance between the poet's early romanticism and his later, more introspective and existential inquiries. The volume is praised for its comprehensive scope, which allows readers to observe the maturation of Tagore's craft over several decades. Critics emphasize that the inclusion of scholarly notes provides a necessary framework for understanding the cultural nuances embedded in the verse. This collection is widely regarded as a definitive entry point for those seeking to understand the breadth of Tagore's poetic output.
Page Count:
472
Publication Date:
2011-02-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0198069642
ISBN-13:
9780198069645
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