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The greatest writer in modern Indian literature, Rabindranath Tagore
(1861-1941), began to write poetry as a child; his first book appeared
when he was 17 years old. Tagore wrote primarily in Bengali, but
translated many of his works into English himself. He was awarded
the 1913 Nobel Prize in literature, and, in 1915, he was knighted
by the British King. Tagore renounced his knighthood in 1919 following
the Massacre of Amritsar. He was also a gifted painter and a composer,
setting hundreds of poems to music. Tagore's song, Our Golden
Bengal, has become the national anthem of Bangladesh.
When Tagore visited Malaya in July and August, 1927, he paid a visit to the V.I. as well. At 3 p.m. on August 3rd, Mr. J. Lornie, the British Resident, Mr. H. B. Talalla (a local businessman) , Mr. L. Y. Swee and the Headmaster, Mr G. C. Davies, took their seats on the platform in the old V.I. assembly hall, which was packed with teachers and older boys and girls from K.L. schools. Mr Lornie introduced Tagore in a brief speech. The Nobel Laureate talked about his childhood, and how he was moved by the many beautiful things he had seen in nature. He told the boys and girls in the audience that the ideals of youth were invaluable, and could be used to help the cause of peace and happiness in the world. In conclusion, Tagore read a number of poems from his 1913 The Crescent Moon. These were well received by the audience, who gave him three cheers at the end of the meeting.
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