Rabindranath Tagore's Daily Lifestyle, Habits, and Unknown Facts
Rabindranath Tagore’s Inspiring Lifestyle and Daily Habits
“I do not want to die in this beautiful world; I want to live among humans.”
These profound words reflect the essence of Rabindranath Tagore—a towering figure in Indian literature and culture. While most people know him as a poet, playwright, and Nobel laureate, few are aware of his unique lifestyle. In this blog, let’s explore the daily habits, health routines, passions, and personal choices of Gurudev that made him a legend.
📚 Tagore's Early Life and Dislike for School
Born in Jorasanko, Kolkata, Tagore was the 14th child in his family. He disliked the formal schooling system and was instead educated at home by private tutors. This early independence shaped his unconventional thinking.
⏰ Early Riser with Minimal Sleep
Tagore was known for sleeping very little. He would often go to bed very late and wake up in the early hours of the morning. His daily routine began at 4 AM with a cup of tea, followed by three hours of uninterrupted writing until 7 AM. After a light breakfast, he resumed writing again.
☕ A Lover of Tea and Focused Writing
He frequently sipped tea or coffee during his creative sessions. His intense focus continued until around 11 AM, when he paused for a bath and lunch. Tagore avoided daytime naps and preferred to stay active and productive throughout the day.
🕖 Dinner by Sunset
In the evening, he spent time reading books or newspapers and resumed his writing again. At 4 PM, he took tea with light snacks like salted biscuits. He usually had dinner by 7 PM, preferring continental dishes at night and traditional Bengali meals during the day.
💪 Tagore the Wrestler
Not many know that young Tagore practiced wrestling in his youth. He trained under the famous wrestler Hira Singh, highlighting his belief in physical fitness. He believed that regular routines and mindful eating were keys to staying healthy.
🎶 Music and Recitation Practice
Tagore wasn't just a poet; he was also a musician, singer, and actor. He began singing at the age of 7, performing his first song—“Dekhile tomar sei atul prem anane”, written by his cousin. His first recorded disc was released in 1905, featuring Bankimchandra’s "Vande Mataram" and his own recitation of “Sonar Tori”.
💃 Passion for Dance
Tagore was also an expert in ballroom dance (baldance), taught by his cousin Satyendrabala Tagore. Inspired by various global dance styles, he developed his own unique approach, ensuring that the spirit of the song remained central to the performance.
🎠Stage Actor with 101 Performances
He acted in his first play, “Valmiki Pratibha,” at the age of 16. Tagore didn’t just write plays—he performed them too, taking to the stage over 100 times in his lifetime.
🎨 Artistic Obsession with Colors
One of Tagore’s lesser-known passions was painting. While he had dabbled in it earlier, he started painting regularly at the age of 67. Between 1901 and 1940, he created nearly 3,000 artworks, mostly in bold and monochrome tones.
🌳 Nature Lover and Tree Enthusiast
Tagore had a deep love for nature, which was reflected in his writings. His songs and poems mention over 108 trees and flowers, many of which were given Bengali names by Tagore himself—like Agnishikha, Tarazhara, Nilmonilata, Banpulak, and Basanti.
👔 Tagore's Personal Attire and Seasonal Colors
At home, he usually wore white or saffron robes and loose pajamas. For special occasions or prayers, he dressed in traditional Bengali attire—dhoti, kurta, and shawl. During seasonal festivals, he wore colored silk scarves (uttariya) that matched the mood—black or red for monsoon, golden for autumn, yellow for spring.
💊 A Believer in Homeopathy
Tagore was a firm believer in homeopathy and often used it for self-treatment. He even introduced health cooperatives in India, promoting affordable medical care for all.
🧠Final Thoughts
Rabindranath Tagore’s lifestyle was a perfect blend of discipline, creativity, fitness, and cultural richness. His life teaches us how to balance intellectual pursuits with physical health and artistic passion. From waking up at dawn to wrestling, painting, and singing—Tagore lived each day with intention and purpose.
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