The time, I came along to read Tagore’s Gitanjali in German many years back when I was only eighteen years old and my fascination with his writings continued throughout my life since. Reading his work about the environment, politics, education, humanism, the arts and travel in German, Turkish or English whatever it became available to me. From that first book, Tagore became one of my best poet and writer of all time.
The last year 2011, was the year of Tagore to celebrate the 150th anniversary of his birth in Bengal and the publication of the book ‘A Taste of Tagore’ coincides with UNESCO’s declaration. It was a wonderful way of celebrating his art, thoughts, and writings through cultures, countries, and continents.
“Yes, I know, this is nothing but thy love. O beloved of my heart
-this golden light that dances upon the leaves, these idle clouds
sailing across the sky, this passing breeze leaving its coolness
upon my forehead.”
“A taste of Tagore” is a book containing a selection of Tagore’s poetry, prose, and prayers which everyone who knows Tagore’s poetry or not should read especially right now, at the beginning of a new year. The selection of this book was compiled by Meron Shapland, and includes a foreword by Deepak Chopra in which he says “Tagore’s poems touch the innocence that is ever present in us.”
A joy will pass through reader’s heart as the beauty of his writings will capture the minds. Tagore’s poetry is full of passion and life in which the reader takes a journey into universal music. The sound of his musical poetry is the place where everyone can find peace; peace within us and peace with our surroundings.
“The fish in the water is silent,
the animal on the earth is noisy,
the bird in the air is singing.
But man has in him the silence of the sea,
the noise of the earth
and the music of the air.”
Copyright Semra Eren Nijhar – All rights reserved
Semra Eren-Nijhar 
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