Rabindranath Tagore’s Concept of the Jiban Debata – his Lord of Life - Bashabi Fraser
Bashabi Fraser will explore how Rabindranath Tagore’s (1861-1941) concept of Jiban Debata, the Lord of his life, is the source of his creativity and spirituality.
Thou who art the innermost Spirit of my being,
Art thou pleased, Lord of my Life?
For I gave to thee my cup
Filled with all the pain and delight… (Rabindranath Tagore, ‘Jiban Debata’, 1895)
Rabindranath Tagore’s (1861-1941) concept of Jiban Debata, the Lord of his life, is the source of his creativity and spirituality. It is a complex philosophy and has been identified by Tagore at various times as the Supreme Being or what he called, the Religion of Man. In order to comprehend and appreciate Tagore’s amazing repertoire of work, this talk will offer an exploration of his idea of creative energy that is evident in Man and connects him to all things, as it flows through the world of creation. We will be on a journey with Tagore, which can help the reader of Tagore’s writing, the listener who hears his songs, the viewer who marvels at his paintings, to come closer to a fuller understanding of a man whose entire life was a search for spiritual solace and strength.
Bashabi Fraser is Professor of English and Creative Writing and Director of the Scottish Centre of Tagore Studies (SCoTs) at Edinburgh Napier University.