Kejriwal pays tribute to Tagore on death anniversary
Synopsis
AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal marked Rabindranath Tagore's death anniversary on 7 August, honouring the Nobel laureate poet who composed India's national anthem 'Jana Gana Mana' and calling his literature an eternal source of national inspiration.
Key Takeaways
AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal posted a Hindi tribute to Rabindranath Tagore on his death anniversary, 7 August .
Kejriwal credited Tagore with giving India its national anthem and said the nation would remain forever grateful.
Tagore won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for Gitanjali , becoming the first non-European Nobel laureate in that category. 'Jana Gana Mana' , composed by Tagore, was adopted as India's national anthem in January 1950 .
Tagore's Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan, West Bengal continues to host annual observances on his punyatithi.
Political leaders across parties routinely mark 7 August with public tributes, reflecting Tagore's cross-partisan cultural stature.
The poet who gave India its voice — its national anthem — is remembered every year on 7 August, the day Rabindranath Tagore left the world in 1941. AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal joined that annual chorus of remembrance on Friday, offering a heartfelt tribute to the Nobel laureate on his punyatithi.
Posting in Hindi, Kejriwal wrote: 'विश्वविख्यात कवि गुरुदेव रबीन्द्रनाथ टैगोर जी की पुण्यतिथि पर उन्हें कोटि-कोटि नमन।' — 'On the death anniversary of world-renowned poet Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, I bow to him a million times.' He added that India would remain forever grateful to Tagore for gifting the nation its national anthem, and that his immortal literature would inspire generations for ages to come.
The man who wrote 'Jana Gana Mana'
Rabindranath Tagore occupies a singular place in Indian history — not merely as a literary giant but as the composer of 'Jana Gana Mana', adopted as India's national anthem in January 1950. He became the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, awarded in 1913 for his collection Gitanjali. His work ranged across poetry, fiction, music, painting and philosophy, and his institution Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan, West Bengal, remains a living monument to his vision of education rooted in nature and culture.A cross-party ritual of remembrance
Tagore's punyatithi on 7 August draws tributes from political leaders across the spectrum every year — a rare moment of consensus in an otherwise fractious public discourse. Cultural programmes at Visva-Bharati and institutions nationwide mark the occasion, keeping his legacy active rather than merely ceremonial. Kejriwal's tribute follows that well-worn but sincere tradition. Eighty-five years after his passing, Tagore's anthem still opens every parliament session, every Republic Day parade, every school morning — proof that some legacies simply refuse to recede.Point of View
Constitutional nationalism, a frame AAP has leaned on in its messaging. The cross-party convergence on Tagore's anniversary underscores how cultural icons function as neutral ground in polarised politics. For Kejriwal, who has faced sustained challenges to his patriotic credentials in recent electoral cycles, the homage is both sincere and strategically legible. Tagore remains one of the few figures whose name commands reverence without triggering factional contestation.
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Rabindranath Tagore's death anniversary?
Rabindranath Tagore's death anniversary, known as his punyatithi, falls on 7 August each year. He passed away on 7 August 1941.
Who wrote India's national anthem Jana Gana Mana?
Rabindranath Tagore composed 'Jana Gana Mana', which was adopted as India's national anthem in January 1950 .
What Nobel Prize did Rabindranath Tagore win?
Tagore won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for his poetry collection Gitanjali , becoming the first non-European to receive the honour.
What did Arvind Kejriwal say about Tagore?
Kejriwal said India would remain forever grateful to Tagore for gifting the nation its national anthem, and that his immortal literature would inspire generations for ages to come.
Where is Visva-Bharati University founded by Tagore?
Visva-Bharati University is located in Santiniketan, West Bengal , and was established by Tagore as a centre for education rooted in nature and Indian cultural tradition.
