A Comparative Study of the Spirituality in Gitanjali and the Garo Traditional Poetic form Dani
International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research May 2, 2026 DOI: 10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i03.77082 via Semantic Scholar
Summary
A comparative analysis of Rabindranath Tagore's Gitanjali and traditional Garo poetry, particularly Dani Doka performed during the Wangala festival, reveals three shared spiritual themes: intimacy with God, reliance on divine grace, and the presence of the divine among the poor and humble. Despite coming from different cultural and poetic traditions, both bodies of work articulate a common longing for the divine that is rooted in everyday life and ritual practice.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Comparative analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | History |
| Key finding | Gitanjali and Dani Doka share core spiritual insights about intimacy with God, reliance on divine grace, and God dwelling among the poor and humble, showing how different traditions express a shared longing for the divine. |
Abstract
Rabindranath Tagore’s Gitanjali is one of the finest expressions of Indian devotional poetry, blending personal spiritual experience with universal mysticism. Similarly, Harendra W. Marak’s documentation of traditional Garo poetry, especially Dani Doka, highlights the deep spiritual dimensions of Garo indigenous life, especially during the Wangala festival. This paper explores the thematic parallels between Gitanjali and Dani Doka, focusing on three core spiritual insights: intimacy with God, reliance on divine grace, and the idea that God dwells among the poor and humble. Through this comparative study, the paper shows how different cultural and poetic traditions articulate a shared longing for the divine, rooted in everyday experience and ritual expression.