The first modern man of India, Raja Ram Mohan Roy, was a friend of the Tagore family since the time of Dwarakanath Tagore. Under his influence Devendranath took to Brahmoism in 1848 much before the birth of Rabindranath. Rabindranath said in his autobiography that his father was fortunate to come under the influence of Ram Mohan Roy from his (Devendranath's) early years which helped him to free himself from the sectarian barriers, from traditions of worldly and social ideas that were very rigid in many aspects, very narrow and not altogether beneficial, and his family had given up "mainstream" Hinduism well before he was born. Devendranath was 45 years of age when Rabi was born.Their special Puja building was no longer in use and he had no idea about any rituals and practices of his ancestors. He did not see the "festival of wealth' of his grandfather (Dwarakanath) except the "black marks of the burnt lamps".
Rabindranath's early life was simple and modest. The only difference with other families was that the family home had a flow of cultural activities, and the cultivation of art and music had become a family tradition.
Organising the Hindu Mela was an annual affair of Devendranath and Babu Nabagopal Mitra was entrusted with the job.
When Rabi was born, Dwijendranath was 21 years, Satyendranath 19 years, Hemendranath 17 years, and Jyotirindranath 13 years. There were other siblings, but the four elder brothers had a strong influence on Rabindranath. The daughters of Devendranath, who were married, lived with their husbands in Jorasanko. Sometimes the number of members of Jorasanko Thakur Bari exceeded 200. Devendranath's wife Sarada Devi, busy with such a large household, could not find time for her children. Rabindranath was brought up by the servants and taught by his brothers.
Rabindranath's early life was simple and modest. The only difference with other families was that the family home had a flow of cultural activities, and the cultivation of art and music had become a family tradition.
Organising the Hindu Mela was an annual affair of Devendranath and Babu Nabagopal Mitra was entrusted with the job.
When Rabi was born, Dwijendranath was 21 years, Satyendranath 19 years, Hemendranath 17 years, and Jyotirindranath 13 years. There were other siblings, but the four elder brothers had a strong influence on Rabindranath. The daughters of Devendranath, who were married, lived with their husbands in Jorasanko. Sometimes the number of members of Jorasanko Thakur Bari exceeded 200. Devendranath's wife Sarada Devi, busy with such a large household, could not find time for her children. Rabindranath was brought up by the servants and taught by his brothers.
