This poet-philosopher was a humanist to the core. His deep concern for world peace and brotherhood and spiritualism permeated all his works. He opposed sectarianism in religion and was pained by the destructive use of science. He was also against materialism characterised by an aggressive individualism so typified by western society. He was the first Asian to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature.

Many-sided in his interests, he wrote memorably in all the genres of literature, whether they be plays, poems, novels, short stories, essays. His writings are continually translated and commented upon. His interests were in education too and his Viswabharati University was unique in its conception and running and it had some noted European and Chinese on its faculty, not to forget the Indian professors as well. His songs are as popular today as they were then.