Tagore’s stories, rooted in the richness of Bengali culture yet resonating with universal human truths, remind us that the soul of India’s narrative power lies not merely in myth or memory, but in the depth of its moral high ground
On this auspicious 25th of Baishakh (May 9, 2025), as we celebrate the birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, the echoes of his profound storytelling resonate with timeless wisdom. This sentiment (of storytelling) was recently evoked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself at the WAVES Summit, emphasising India’s rich tradition of narratives. Just as the Prime Minister urged content creators to “Create in India, Create for the World,” Tagore’s works are a testament to the universal appeal of Indian stories.
Narendra Modi’s address underscored the ‘soul of India’s storytelling traditions’, from divine instruments to digital expression — a tradition deeply embodied in Tagore’s literary contributions. Like the Prime Minister, who highlighted the enduring power of India’s “lok kathas, bhajans, classical music, and cultural depth,”
Tagore’s stories are rooted in the rich soil of Bengali culture, yet transcend regional boundaries to touch upon universal human emotions.Prime Minister Modi’s call to “bring forward India’s cultural wealth to the world in new, exciting formats” resonates deeply with the literary legacy of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore.
Tagore’s storytelling masterfully blended tradition with modernity, and his narratives are rich with realism and idealism, exploring complex social issues while honouring the dignity of every individual — embodying the vast, timeless treasure of Indian mythology, science, fiction, sacrifice, and valour that the Prime Minister described and further envisioned for a “global storytelling revolution” rooted in Bharat.
Similarly, Gurudev stands as a shining example of how Indian stories, imbued with universal values, can inspire and connect audiences across the world. Earlier in his September 27, 2020 “Mann Ki Baat” address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored the timeless importance of storytelling, emphasising its deep-rooted connection to human civilisation by stating, “Where there is a soul, there is a story.” He lamented the decline of traditional intergenerational storytelling, noting children’s exposure to jokes over meaningful narratives, and highlighted India’s rich storytelling heritage, including Hitopadesh, Panchatantra, Katha, Villu Paat, and Kathputli, while also acknowledging the rising popularity of science and science-fiction-based stories and the eternal importance and allure of storytelling or ‘Qissagoi’ in our country.
Rabindranath Tagore’s storytelling was a lyrical tapestry woven with deep emotional insight, rich imagery, and an intimate connection to nature. Eschewing grand tales of kings and wars, he turned his gaze to the quiet complexities of everyday life, families, relationships, and the inner struggles of individuals caught between societal expectations and personal longing.
His characters, whether landlords, peasants, students, or women bound by tradition, were grounded in the realities of their time, yet often yearned for freedom, self-expression, or deeper meaning. Balancing realism with idealism, Tagore’s stories were not just narratives — they were evocative journeys into the human soul, resonating with both beauty and truth.
Tagore was not merely a writer; he was a seer who used fiction as a mirror to reflect and question the society of his times. His short stories (Golpo) and novels remain luminous illustrations of how literature can awaken the social conscience while tenderly capturing the quiet rhythms of everyday life in both poetic and political styles, beyond just narratives.
They were lived experiences, filled with characters from every corner of life — zamindars and peasants, widows and revolutionaries, the educated elite and the silent subaltern.Before Tagore, Bengali prose fiction was still in its nascent stages, heavily influenced by British models and moralistic undertones.
The ‘Bard of Bengal’ infused it with soul. He pioneered the modern short story in Bengali literature. Starting with Bhikharini (The Beggar Woman) in 1877, Tagore’s stories evolved from romantic idealism to deep social critique with a unique style (reading technique) that came to define his voice.
What made this Nobel Laureate revolutionary was his refusal to merely entertain. He sought to awaken, to elevate, and above all, to understand. As scholar, linguist, and playwright-translator Sisir Kumar Das noted, “Tagore’s greatness lies not in representing life, but in interpreting it.”
Tagore’s fiction teemed with progressive thought and radical empathy. He illuminated the struggles of women, the hypocrisies of patriarchy, the flaws of blind nationalism, and the spiritual hollowness of the so-called ‘educated’. Each story was an act of quiet rebellion. For example, in Chokher Bali (Sand in the Eye), Tagore explores the psychological complexity of Binodini, a young widow. Far from presenting her as a victim, he gives her agency, desire, and the capacity to love, challenge, and err. It was a seismic departure from the traditional portrayals of women in Indian fiction.
The Postmaster is another poignant tale where the quiet tragedy lies not in dramatic events but in the chasm between emotional worlds. Ratan, the orphaned girl, develops a silent bond with the postmaster, only to be left behind when he is transferred. The story lays bare the human cost of casual male detachment and the female yearning for affection and belonging. In Kabuliwala, Tagore crafts a touching bond between a Pathan dry-fruit seller and a little Bengali girl, Mini, highlighting how love transcends class, culture, and religion. Today, in a world riddled with xenophobia and mistrust of the ‘other’, this story is more relevant than ever.
This poignant story explores the complexities of migration, the profound nature of fatherly love, and the potential for cultural divides. The narrative retains its powerful relevance in our contemporary world marked by growing displacement and the fear of the unfamiliar.
Like other profound narratives, Gurudev’s Ghare Baire (The Home and the World) intricately weaves the personal with the political. Set during the Swadeshi movement, the novel presents a powerful portrayal of nationalism through the character of Bimala, whose inner conflict between the comfort of her traditional domestic role and the pull of emerging progressive ideals reflects a timeless tension. Her journey captures the emotional and ideological upheaval stirred by nationalist fervour. In an age where questions of nationalism and gender continue to evolve, Ghare Baire remains a deeply relevant and provocative reflection of our times. Moreover, one of Tagore’s most profound contributions was his representation of women. Unlike the submissive or decorative female characters of earlier literature, Tagore’s women had voices, doubts, and agency.
In Streer Patra (The Wife’s Letter), Mrinal, a housewife, writes to her husband after leaving home, where her letter is not a plea for acceptance but a bold declaration of selfhood. “I am not one to worship a lifeless god,” she writes, rejecting blind obedience. In today’s discourse on gender equality and women’s empowerment, these stories are not just literary relics — they are tools of introspection and empowerment.
Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore once said, “A story is truth wrapped in enchantment.” That enchantment — drawn from empathy, observation, and lyrical craft — continues to breathe through his pages, across generations. In this 164th year of his birth (7 May 1861 — 7 August 1941), let us return to Tagore not just as a poet of the past but as a storyteller for the present and the future. His stories are not just about Bengal or India — they are about the human condition.
They transcend time because they speak to something eternal in us — the need to be seen, to be understood, and to understand others. Today, when the world grapples with ideological polarisation, religious intolerance, and the seduction of populism, Tagore’s cautionary tales are urgent reminders of the need for balance, reason, and compassion.
(The writer is a Programme Executive, Gandhi Smriti Sansthan. Views are personal)
