“I do not know who has painted thepictures of my life imprinted on my memory. But whoever he is, he isan artist. He does not take up his brush simply to copy everythingthat happens; he retains or omits things just as he fancies; he makesmany a big thing small and small thing big; he does not hesitate toexchange things in the foreground with things in the background. Inshort, his task is to paint pictures, not to write history. The flowof events forms our external life, while within us a series ofpictures is painted. The two correspond, but are not identical”
The author paints his vivid and richlife on large canvas with help of imprinted memory as a paint. Thepainting is not memory in strict sense but his impression on hisupbringing. Tagore born in aristocratic family which combined moneyand learning to produce such a remarkable human being, to him, world calls Gurudev.
Tagore childhood spent under servocacy:reign of servant. Who were behind all the time and deprived him frominnocent and naughty childhood. He writes “if children are onlyallowed to be children, to run about and play and satisfy theircuriosity, the burden becomes quite light”.
Tagore clearly pin points problemsof society with help his life. Tagore wrote this reminiscence with sameliterary style as he is known. Sentence are rich in imaginary, strongin criticism and clarity in thought.
Tagore childhood was both gentle andsmooth. He grown under literary atmosphere of his family. Thisprovided him rich language to articulate his thoughts and his aristocratic legacyhelped him to walk and roam into diverse geography of India andabroad.
Tagore had seen the world in different perspective. He did not jump to conclusion on first glimpses but put much effort to understand things. when you read this book you will understand how he nurtured himself.
At the end of book he refers to political movement inspired by the patriotic fervour. He writes "My mind refused to respond to the cheap intoxications of political movements, devoid as they were of any national consciousness, completely ignorant of the country, and supremely indifferent to real service of the motherland"
MY Reminiscence not just collection of memory but a stroke of paint, which touches on many topic related to literature, childhood, education and so on.