Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (May 9, 2026) paid rich tributes to Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore on his birth anniversary and said he made a mark as an exceptional philosopher, educationist, artist and a "timeless voice of India's civilisational soul".

Tagore's birth anniversary is celebrated on 'Pochishe Boishakh' or the 25th of the Bengali month of Boishak, known as Rabindra Jayanti.

"Today, on the special occasion of Pochishe Boishakh, we pay our heartfelt tributes to Gurudev Tagore," Mr. Modi said in a post on 'X'.

He said Gurudev Tagore was a writer, thinker and poet of extraordinary brilliance.

"He made a mark as an exceptional philosopher, educationist, artist and a timeless voice of India's civilisational soul. He gave expression to the deepest emotions of humanity and the noblest ideals of our culture," the prime minister said.

Mr. Modi said Tagore enriched society with new thoughts, creative energy and cultural confidence.

"We remember him with deep reverence and gratitude. May his thoughts continue to illuminate minds and guide us in our endeavours," he said.

Tagore was born on 25th Boishakh 1268 of the Bengali calendar (May 7, 1861, by the Gregorian calendar).

Mamata pays tribute to Tagore on his birth anniversary, calls him symbol of unity

Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday (May 9, 2026) paid tributes to Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore on his birth anniversary, describing him as an eternal guiding light and a messenger of unity for humanity.

In a post on X, Ms. Banerjee said Tagore’s philosophy represented the “rebirth of the Bengali language, culture, and heritage”.

“His profound philosophy of life serves as the eternal guiding light for our daily journey. He has taught us — division is not the truth; unity is,” she said.

The Trinamool Congress supremo said Tagore had risen above “the fervour of aggressive nationalism” and imparted to the world the message of unity for all.

Quoting from Tagore’s works, Ms. Banerjee wrote, “O my heart, awaken slowly at this holy pilgrimage site, at the ocean-shore of this great soul of India.” She expressed hope that the eternal ideals of the poet, his far-reaching thought-currents, awakened consciousness and creative genius would “shine even more intensely in the minds of people across the globe”.

Suvendu pays tribute to Rabindranath Tagore

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari paid tribute to Rabindranath Tagore on his birth anniversary, describing the Nobel laureate as an “eternal star” in the sky of Bengali literature and culture.

In a post on X, he said Tagore’s “immortal creations, humanitarian philosophy, and patriotism” have guided people through the ages.

“May human civilisation advance, inspired by the great message, ‘Where the mind is without fear, and the head held high’. On the poet-sage’s birth anniversary, I pay my humble tribute to him,” Mr. Adhikari said.

He also said, “On the birth anniversary of the world poet, Nobel laureate, globally renowned poet-sage Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, I offer my heartfelt respects. His immortal creations, humanitarian philosophy, and patriotism have guided us through the ages. In the sky of Bengali literature and culture, he shall forever shine as an eternal star.”