In "My Boyhood Days" Tagore takes us back to a time and place that has passed by about 160 years ago. The 19th century Calcutta, the city of his childhood was a place with palanquins for mode of transportation and oil lamps for street lightening, where life was like a leisurely stroll. He wrote the book sometime around 1940 with a lamentation that Calcutta of his old age has transformed and people's lives have gotten into the fast lane.One wonders what he would have had to say about the maddening rush of today's times!

A lonely childhood coupled with a strong dislike for regimented education system meant he preferred to spend carefree days in those undisturbed corners of the mansion where his imagination knew no boundaries. This was further aided by the atmosphere at home as the Tagore family indulged in various art forms.Jyotirindranath Tagore deserves particular mention for he spotted the potential in the young Rabi and gave wings to his talent. Tagore fondly remembers his Jyotidada who showered gentle affection on him.

The book offers a glimpse into those formative years which shaped his life and transformed a young Rabi into Rabindranath Tagore. One gets to understand, from his childhood, why he would go onto establish Shantiniketan where children could study in the lap of nature for he always believed education and learning should build personality and character as against a formal education which merely enhances employability.

The language of the book is reflective of those times.

A must read for Tagore fans.