‘Rabindranath Tagore is more relevant than ever’

Tagore has been inseparable from the Bengali culture for as long as one can remember. Now, at his 150th birth anniversary, the literary and cultural world feels that Tagore’s influence can be felt more in these tumultuous times than in his own time, and that his relevance is not restricted to  Kolkata alone.

Poet- cum- educationist and the guest editor of Sahitya Academy’s India Literature, Subodh Sarkar feels that all of Tagore’s work — poems, short stories, songs, novels, plays and letters — have immense significance in the current situation where violence and unrest have become a daily feature.

“Many are lonely and angry. But, I believe, even someone in that state of mind can cool down and get inspired to do something if he recites poetry by Tagore or listens to Rabindra Sangeet. That is the magic of Tagoreana. According to publishers’ statistics, Tagore works are still best-sellers,” Sarkar said.

However, he feels that a lot more is required to be done at an institutional level in order to spread awareness at the global level. “Recently, UNESCO has taken an initiative to spread the awareness of Tagorian philosophy worldwide.

This UNESCO project on Tagore is running parallel with similar initiatives on spreading awareness on the works by Pablo Neruda. This is an excellent and timely initiative. I hope more initiatives are taken at all levels, big and small,” Sarkar said.

Sarkar even says he doesn’t have any objection to the exploitation of Tagore by political parties. “Tagore belongs to the heart of everyone and any political party can claim a close association with Tagore. What irritates me is some political leaders misquoting Tagore or quoting him in the wrong perspective. It is expected that, when you quote such a great personality, you avoid that,” he said.

For noted film-director Raja Sen, the greatest relevance of Tagore in present times is the modern outlook in his works. “His works were published 100 years ago, but they are so relevant even today. His novels and short stories are so modern by themselves, that a film director making a film on his works feels no need to ‘adapt’ them to our times,” Sen said.

Sen’s recent film, Laboratory, based on a short story on science by Tagore, is a typical example of the modern outlook in Tagore’s work. “The central character in the film, Sohoni, is the greatest example of how Tagore spoke up for women’s liberation by not believing in virginity,” he said. In the film, the character Sohoni, played by Ravina Tandon, broke out of archaic conservatism to save her late husband’s laboratory, which gave students the opportunity for scientific research.

Sen feels if more directors make meaningful films based on Tagore’ works, it will help in spreading awareness about his philosophy. “I am trying to work on another film based on his story,” Sen said.

Singer Indrani Sen feels that Tagore’s relevance will not wane even after 150 years because he transcends time. Sen, who has sung 800-odd songs of Tagore, some even in Hindi, says, “Tagore is contemporary, and he has addressed a gamut of emotions. Each song has meaning and a message. The older generation has a responsibility to pass on the legacy to their children.”