Rabindranath Tagore is a name that spells genius. The great Indian wordsmith, his writings are compelling, thought-provoking, and inspiring, that won him the Nobel prize in Literature in 1913. As the world celebrates the 155th birth anniversary of the visionary poet and philosopher, also hailed as Gurudev, here are 10 of his rare photographs.

1. Rabindranath Tagore with Jawaharlal Nehru at the Sylvan retreat of the poet in Bolpur on November 4, 1936.

2. Mahatma Gandhi visited Shantiniketan to honour his promise of meeting Rabindranath Tagore annually. This picture is from February 20, 1940. It was Tagore who gave the title of Mahatma to Gandhi.

3. Tagore relaxing in his bed at a railway compartment in Howrah station. This picture was published on November 22, 1940.

4. Published on December 25th, 1932, this portrait of Tagore was taken by S.P. Bhide when the poet last visited Poona.

5. A rare photograph of the three legends, Sir Maurice Gwyer, Rabindranath Tagore, and Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, coming out from Sinha Sadan, Shantiniketan after the Oxford University Convocation on August 7, 1940.

6. This picture is from a reception given by Rabindranath Tagore to Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba, at Shantiniketan, February 20, 1940.

7. Rabindranath Tagore photographed with a group during his tour of the West in 1921.

8. Tagore at the All-People’s reception held in his honour, at 99, Gower-street, London. This photo dates back to February 15, 1931.

9. Blind American author and labour rights activist Helen Keller greets Rabindranath Tagore at a meeting in New York in 1930.

10. Rabindranath Tagore met Albert Einstein at his cottage in Caputh when he went to Berlin. This picture was taken back in August 24, 1930.

H/T: thehindu