রবীন্দ্র-রচনাবলী اما O به ܂ ܠ ... In regard to music, I claim to be something of a musician myself. I have composed many songs which have defied the canons of orthodox propriety and good people are disgusted at the impudence of a man who is audacious only because he is untrained. But I persist, and God forgives me because I do not know what I do. Possibly that is the best way of doing things in the sphere of art. For I find that people blame, but also sing my songs, even if not always correctly. Please do not think I am vain. I can judge myself objectively and can openly express admiration for my own work. because am modest. I do not hesitate to say that my songs have found their place in the heart of my land, along with her flowers that are never exhausted, and that the folk of the future, in days of joy or sorrow or festival, will have to sing them. This too is the work of a revolutionist. -Talks in China, Visva-Bharati, 1925. The Religion of an Artist, Visva-Bharati, 1953, p. 5 R I have introduced some new element in our music, I know. I have composed five hundred new tunes, perhaps more. This is a parallel growth to my poetry. Anyhow, I love this aspect of my activity. I get lost in my songs, and then think that these are my best work, I get quite intoxicated. I often feel that, it all my poetry is forgotten, my Songs will live with my countrymen, and have a perinanent place. I have very deep delight in them. Butvery Sadly it is nonsense to say that music is a universal language. I should like my music to find acceptance, but I know this cannot he, at least not till the West has had time to study and learn to appreciate our music. All the same, I know the artistic value of my songs. They have great beauty. Though they will not be known outside my province. and much of my work will be gradually lost, I leave then as a legacy. My own countrymen do not understand. But they will. They are real songs, Songs for all seasons and occasions. In my hymns, my Brahmasangit. have adapted and taken wholesale older tunes from Tansen, the best of our composers; in these. I have used orthodox forms. But for my own songs I have invented very freely. . -Edward Thompson, Rabindranath Tagore Poet and Dramatist, 1926, p. 69
