Rabindranath Tagore’s beautifully written poems echo the walls of schools all over India. He was a philosopher who changed the trajectory of Bengali literature and music with his writings. Indians forever take pride in their motherland’s literature. But did you know that there is a school in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro where some of Tagore’s teachings are followed?
Unique History Behind Rabindranath Tagore And Brazil
Let’s roll back to 1924 when Rabindranath Tagore was invited to the grand celebrations of Peru’s independence. He embarked on a voyage from Sri Lanka. On the way to South America from France, Tagore experienced some major health concerns.
When a proper doctor examined him in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he was instructed not to sail to Peru. He was on his way back to India when he decided to make a pitstop at Rio de Janeiro for almost a day. Back in 1924, his name and works were popular in Brazil as the famous Gitanjali was already translated and published here in 1914 and the same with The Crescent Moon.
An educator, Lúcia Casasanta, who ‘As Mais Belas Histórias’ was a believer and follower of a progressive movement, Escola Nova (New School). It strived not to discriminate against children on diverse attributes like gender, religion and more. Rabindranath Tagore’s teachings are vastly talking about secularism, hence colliding with the above movement.
Last but not least, Casasanta translated Tagore’s Bengali poem, Ghumchora to ‘A ladra do Sono’ which was introduced in schools in Brazil and thus, he became a widespread name among the munchkins of this country.
What Is The Relation Between Escola Municipal Tagore And The Poet?
This might come as a surprise to many but there is a 1963 elementary school in Rio de Janeiro that is linked to the great Rabindranath Tagore! Escola Municipal Tagore (Municipal School Tagore) focuses on imparting knowledge about diversity and inclusion. It was founded to commemorate Tagore’s one-day trip or rather a halt to Rio de Janeiro in 1924.
Escola Municipal Tagore includes every child who wants to be educated despite their caste, creed, race, religion, kids with Down syndrome or Autism and more. This embraces the focus of Tagore’s teachings to treat everyone around you equally.
Isn’t that an interesting fact you learned about Tagore?
Cover Image Courtesy: Facebook/Escola Municipal Tagore
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