3 Powerful Characters And Their Voice For Women Empowerment And Social Issues In The Novels Of Rabindranath Tagore
The literary world has produced innumerable gems, who though their innovative thinking and creativity have brought about a constructive change within the society. One of these gems is Shri Rabindranath Tagore also known as Gurudev by his countless followers and fans.
He was an eminent poet and novelist, whose writings touched the mind and soul of people not only in India, but across the world. He was a progressive thinker right from his early childhood. He was only 6 years old when he started penning down his emotions and feelings for the first time. He was one of the Indian laureates, who believed in ensuring women empowerment using the power of his pen as his strongest weapon.
His dedication to this cause is evident from the manner in which he presented the female characters in his writings. There is hardly a female character portrayed by him in his novels and stories, who is not bold, determined and true fighter for her own freedom. He was a freethinker, who possessed the courage to speak openly about women’s liberation, justice, freedom, equality, power and dignity, and their rights. A large number of people are ignorant of the fact that, Rabindranath Tagore was also a great painter. Like his literary work, many of his paintings too presented women in various avatars. This in itself is enough to put to rest any doubts regarding his modernistic views and his commitment towards ensuring that women were granted equal rights and respect in society.
Being a diehard fan of Rabindranath Tagore since my childhood, I strongly believe that every female born on this earth has her own unique identity. However, this identity should not be restricted only to the various roles played by a female in her everyday life. In addition to being a daughter, wife or mother, she should be able to define herself as an individual. She should be granted the right to be herself and not forced to hide behind the identities forced upon her by the society. In order to establish this unique identity, she must stand for her own rights.
Sadly, despite the numerous social advances that have become a mark of the modern 21st century, most women, including the well-educated ones, find themselves bound to age-old traditions. Even today, countless females are victims of oppression in the form of domestic violence, adultery, bad marriages and gender discrimination across the various strata of society. It is my strong appeal to all such women…….. FIGHT FOR YOUR OWN RIGHTS & RESPECT YOURSELF FIRST AS IT IS THE ONLY WAY TO GET RESPECT FROM OTHERS.
In this context, I would again like to refer to my favorite writer and guide, Shri Rabindranath Tagore. As I mentioned before, his powerful presentation of women is a source of inspiration for many, including me. I am especially motivated by the following three characters, which Guruji has penned in his writings as the strong females willing to fight for their rights irrespective of the consequences they faced.
Mrinmoyee
Mrinmoyee is the name of the titular character in the short story named “Samapti”, written by Rabindranath Tagore. She is a free-spirited girl who loves to live life on her own terms and conditions. She prefers doing almost everything which for the society forbids for a prospective bride. She is like a free bird eager to explore the open skies. She is a true “Tomboy” who loves climbing trees, playing with boys and is not interested in typical womanly behavior or their love for jewelry.
However, Mrinmoyee starts facing problems when she is expected to adapt to confinements of a married life. Even as her young mind is churning with many unanswered questions, she refuses to give up her identity as an individual and a woman. I am truly, deeply and madly in love with this character as Mrinmoyee is a perfect example of a independent and free-spirited woman.
Charulata
Charulata is the leading lady from the novel “Nastanirh – The Broken Nest”, an extremely popular work of Gurudev. She is a married to a well established and busy journalist, for whom work comes first, leaving her with a sense of loneliness. Charulata is very passionate towards music and poetry, but sadly, her husband doesn’t have the energy or the interest to appreciate his wife’s talent. This lack of attention from her husband alienates her emotionally from him. At the same time she finds solace in her brother-in-law Amal, who shares her passion. Their common interests bring them closer and soon the two fall in love.
But unfortunately, Amal does not have the courage to acknowledge her love and professes it to be nothing more than an infatuation. But Charulata defies all tradition and daringly confesses her love for Amal and that too in front of his husband. This makes her husband realize his fault and he requests Charulata for a chance to make a fresh start. However, she boldly denies making a compromise and prefers to stay alone. Charulata emerges as a woman, who refuses to fall prey to social customs and erase her emotions and her identity as a woman in the process.
Mrinal
Mrinal is the main female character in Rabindranath Tagore’s The Wife’s Letter. Like her creator, she uses the most perfect weapon, namely her pen, to revolt against the injustice faced by the women in the society. She cherishes a secret passion for writing poetry and which is unknown to her in-laws even after 15 years of marriage. In fact the members of her in-law’s family actually overlook the fact that besides being the “Mejo Bau” (the wife of the 2nd son of a family), Mrinal possesses some hidden talent, namely that of writing beautiful and inspirational poems. However, she leaves her in-laws home, when despite her best efforts, she fails to save her sister-in-law’s sister, Bindu. Bindu, intentionally sets herself on fire to free herself from her failed abusive marriage to a madman.
Mrinal, cannot bear to live in a family which considered their daughter-in-law’s sister to be a burden and forced her to marry a madman to get rid of this burden. She writes a letter to her husband informing him of her unwillingness to return home. She also expresses her anguish at the society in general for making it almost impossible for a married girls in an abusive marriage to go back to her parents home by not supporting their decision. She also blames her husband for restricting her to the role of just being a daughter –in-law to his family and completely ignoring her qualities and talents. What actually impressed me about Mrinal is that she had the guts to CALL A SPADE A SPADE.
Mrinmoyee, Charulata, and Mrinal are my 3 favorite female characters created by Nobel Prize winner Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, at a time when such actions by women were even unthinkable. One common feature in the above 3 characters is the pride of being a woman and having their own set of values with a unique identity. They firmly denied accepting the rights and wrongs as dictated by the society but rather held on their own views of the same based on their understanding and intellect. These characters teach us that a girl should have a dream which should be her very own. In addition, it is the responsibility of parents to pamper and support the dream of their girl child and make them stand on their own feet. This is more important than training them just to be a good wife, daughter-in-law or a mother. Allow your girl child to decide her own future and become an inspiration for many others in the society.
I love Tagore too, and have been reading him since childhood. In his books he had mostly empowered women and yes, current gen needs to read them. I loved is outlook of the post I’m pinning it.
I havent read any of his books. But I always dream of going to Shantiniketan and studying the arts. But after your post, I have to pick up his books and begin reading now.
Each woman mentioned in this review is an embodiment of courage and strength. They have all faced difficult challenges in their lives, but have triumphed over them with determination and resilience. Their stories are an inspiration to us all, and remind us that no matter what life throws our way, we can overcome it if we have the courage to face it head-on.
Bold female characters always manage to set a precedent in real life and these three are such amazingly written! Kudos to him for being so progressive and bold with his writing.
I have watched Short Stories by Rabindra Nath Tagore on Netflix and I can recall all the three characters yo have mentioned in this post. I have always like how he showed women in an independent form. It was slightly modern for that era but I must say he portrayed that very beautifully.
Till now, I did not get a chance to read Tagorji’s work much but your post has made me inspired to read it soon. I loved the way, you have share details about all three female characters. It express your respect towards your guruji amazingly.
Rabindranath Tagore was one of the greats of the country. And he expressed all the social issues well with his characters. We should read more and more of him and should pass on to the next generation as well.
Your post has inspired me to read this soon. I loved the way, you have share details about all three female characters. It express your respect towards your guruji amazingly.
Oh he was ahead of his time. Every story of his has strong female leads. I need to read all of his writings. I have seen a series of his stories on Netflix .it was epic.
Rabindranath Nath Tagore’s writing was path breaking and highly inspirational. Women empowerment is what people are taking today have been his center point of writing in those days. That shows how progressive mindset he had. But yes I need to read more of his writing to get myself enlighten.
Such great and strong characters are always inspiring, though I have read a few books only of Tagore he is one of the greatest authors I can say we are blessed with.
I had read some work of Rabindra Nath Tagore sir during school time and charulata was one of them. It is so inspiring to see how he thought of such strong women characters in that time. We somehow still lack such strong women central characters in today’s writers. He was a man ahead of time no doubt.
First time hearing these names/people actually and can’t believe I’ve only known them now. Reading their wisdom through what they’ve thought/left with us to understand is really inspiring for women.
A great source of inspiration has been Rabindranath Tagore. His wide and inspiring literary contributions are outstanding. All three of the characters you mentioned in this post are ones I can remember from watching Rabindra Nath Tagore’s Short Stories. Each of the women highlighted in this review is a living example of bravery and fortitude. Each of them has experienced adversity in life, but they have all overcome it with tenacity and fortitude.
Ravindranath Tagor ji is on my wish list. Till now I didnt get to read any book. He is source of inspiration and no wonder the character mentioned you are worthy. Each character fought against the social norms and stand for herself.
Rabindranath Tagore’s books are such gems and so timeless. I have only read Nastanirh. Thank you for sharing about the other two. Looking forward to picking them up soon.
Oh, he was so far ahead of his time.
Rabindranath Nath Tagore’s writing was groundbreaking and inspiring. Women’s empowerment is what people are taking today, and it was his focal point of writing back then. I have to read more of his writings now.
Have heard alot about Rabindranath tagore and his writings about women empowerment. But these three ladies playing important roles in uplifting women in that century made me feel proud. People should research and write more about them as only very few famous names comes forward. 🤗
We usually think writing about empowered women is something new but we have a rich history of it. Rabindranath Tagore’s books are among the very best. Thank you for sharing more about them.
Sadly, I have not read much of Tagore’s writing. But I always knew that he was a champion of women’s empowerment. Thank you for sharing such sharp portrayals of women by him.
Rabindranath is one of my favourite authors and I have read all his creations. Mrinmoyee, Charulata, and Mrinal these are my favourite charecters too and the way author narrated their lifestories in that time are remarkable. Thanks for reminding me these books again.
I love Tagore too, and have been reading him since childhood. In his books he had mostly empowered women and yes, current gen needs to read them. I loved is outlook of the post I’m pinning it.
I now realise that I haven’t read much Ravidranath Tagore books. I can remember only Kabuliwala and Geetanjali. I got to read more of his work
I havent read any of his books. But I always dream of going to Shantiniketan and studying the arts. But after your post, I have to pick up his books and begin reading now.
Each woman mentioned in this review is an embodiment of courage and strength. They have all faced difficult challenges in their lives, but have triumphed over them with determination and resilience. Their stories are an inspiration to us all, and remind us that no matter what life throws our way, we can overcome it if we have the courage to face it head-on.
Rabindranath Tagore has been a wonderful inspiration, truly he is worth to be shared and known to those who haven’t yet come accross.
Bold female characters always manage to set a precedent in real life and these three are such amazingly written! Kudos to him for being so progressive and bold with his writing.
oh!! Rabindarnath contribution to literature is vast and very inspiring. I read about Charulata and she was indeed a voice for women.
I have watched Short Stories by Rabindra Nath Tagore on Netflix and I can recall all the three characters yo have mentioned in this post. I have always like how he showed women in an independent form. It was slightly modern for that era but I must say he portrayed that very beautifully.
Till now, I did not get a chance to read Tagorji’s work much but your post has made me inspired to read it soon. I loved the way, you have share details about all three female characters. It express your respect towards your guruji amazingly.
Rabindranath Tagore was one of the greats of the country. And he expressed all the social issues well with his characters. We should read more and more of him and should pass on to the next generation as well.
Your post has inspired me to read this soon. I loved the way, you have share details about all three female characters. It express your respect towards your guruji amazingly.
Oh he was ahead of his time. Every story of his has strong female leads. I need to read all of his writings. I have seen a series of his stories on Netflix .it was epic.
Rabindranath Nath Tagore’s writing was path breaking and highly inspirational. Women empowerment is what people are taking today have been his center point of writing in those days. That shows how progressive mindset he had. But yes I need to read more of his writing to get myself enlighten.
Such great and strong characters are always inspiring, though I have read a few books only of Tagore he is one of the greatest authors I can say we are blessed with.
I had read some work of Rabindra Nath Tagore sir during school time and charulata was one of them. It is so inspiring to see how he thought of such strong women characters in that time. We somehow still lack such strong women central characters in today’s writers. He was a man ahead of time no doubt.
First time hearing these names/people actually and can’t believe I’ve only known them now. Reading their wisdom through what they’ve thought/left with us to understand is really inspiring for women.
A great source of inspiration has been Rabindranath Tagore. His wide and inspiring literary contributions are outstanding. All three of the characters you mentioned in this post are ones I can remember from watching Rabindra Nath Tagore’s Short Stories. Each of the women highlighted in this review is a living example of bravery and fortitude. Each of them has experienced adversity in life, but they have all overcome it with tenacity and fortitude.
Ravindranath Tagor ji is on my wish list. Till now I didnt get to read any book. He is source of inspiration and no wonder the character mentioned you are worthy. Each character fought against the social norms and stand for herself.
Tagore’s portrayal of women is very intricate and detailed.
Each of the women highlighted in this review is a living example of bravery and fortitude.
Rabindranath Tagore’s books are such gems and so timeless. I have only read Nastanirh. Thank you for sharing about the other two. Looking forward to picking them up soon.
Oh, he was so far ahead of his time.
Rabindranath Nath Tagore’s writing was groundbreaking and inspiring. Women’s empowerment is what people are taking today, and it was his focal point of writing back then. I have to read more of his writings now.
Have heard alot about Rabindranath tagore and his writings about women empowerment. But these three ladies playing important roles in uplifting women in that century made me feel proud. People should research and write more about them as only very few famous names comes forward. 🤗
I have heard so much about Rabindranath Tagore I have read a few of his books he was so far ahead of his time especially women empowerment
I have not read any these books, which is a shame. Reading your article has inspired me to do so.
We usually think writing about empowered women is something new but we have a rich history of it. Rabindranath Tagore’s books are among the very best. Thank you for sharing more about them.
Sadly, I have not read much of Tagore’s writing. But I always knew that he was a champion of women’s empowerment. Thank you for sharing such sharp portrayals of women by him.
Rabi Thakur is my idol, my God
I really love how you have touched this topic.
Rabindranath is one of my favourite authors and I have read all his creations. Mrinmoyee, Charulata, and Mrinal these are my favourite charecters too and the way author narrated their lifestories in that time are remarkable. Thanks for reminding me these books again.