Publication of Tagore’s song offerings, the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Gitanjali </i>: A Study

Abstract

Before establishment of Visva Bharati Granthan Vibhaga (VBGV) in 1923, Rabindranath Tagore’s writings were published by his friends and family members and Adi Brahmasamaj Jantra (Press of Brahmasamaj, Calcutta). Rabindranath (1861-1941) received the Nobel Prize for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Gitanjali</i> (Song Offerings) in 1913 which is a collection of poems from different kavyagrantha (book of poems). Copyright of Rabindranath Tagore’s works given to Visva-Bharati expired in December 2001. Private publishers have been free to publish the writings of Rabindranath Tagore since then. The present paper is an attempt to assess the quality of publication of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Gitanjali</i> published by private publishers before establishment of VBGV and after expiry of copyright. It is observed that a small portion of Bengali publishers are publishing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Gitanjali</i> at a lower price but with good number of mistakes. Pre-VBGV publications also have mistakes.