International Journal Of Language, Literature And Culture(IJLLC)

This review article examines Rabindranath Tagore's ecological philosophy as a prescient voice that transcends anthropocentric worldviews to envision a harmonious relationship between humans and the natural world. Through a comprehensive analysis of Tagore's literary works, essays, and educational experiments at Santiniketan, this article argues that Tagore developed a distinctive biocentric perspective rooted in Upaniṣadic philosophy yet remarkably aligned with contemporary deep ecology and ecofeminist thought. The article explores how Tagore's critique of colonial modernity and industrial civilisation anticipated current debates on sustainable development, while his concept of universal humanity (Viśva-Mānava) extends ethical consideration beyond the human to encompass all living beings and the earth itself. By examining Tagore's arboreal poetry, his ecological allegories in plays such as Red Oleanders, and his visionary text Pallīprakŗti (Environment in the Villages), this review demonstrates the continuing relevance of Tagore's green philosophy for addressing twenty-first-century ecological crises. The article concludes that Tagore's integration of aesthetic appreciation, spiritual reverence, and practical ecological stewardship offers a compelling alternative to the dominant anthropocentric paradigm that underpins contemporary environmental destruction.