Tagore In Tripura

by Khagesh Dev Burman

English 344 pages 1 edition

A part of Rabindranath Tagore’s life that remains largely unknown is his connection to the state of Tripura. Tagore had close ties with four generations of the Tripura royal family, especially Maharaja Radhakishore, who helped set up and fund the Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan. Tagore’s relationship with the Tripura royal family began in 1882, when Maharaja Birchandra was so moved by his poetry that he sent his minister to congratulate the poet. During Birchandra’s son Radhakishore’s reign, Tagore was involved in Tripura’s administration, advising the king on all state matters. He visited the state several times too. Later generations of the royal family continue to patronize Tagore and Visva-Bharati, sending several students with stipends to the university. This book, written by a member of the Tripura royal family, explores their connection with Tagore, including the friendships and associations the poet formed and the ways in which Tripura appeared in his writings.