Rabindranath Tagore Jayanti 2024: Rabindranath Tagore, the poet, playwright, philosopher, and Nobel laureate, remains a towering figure in literature and the arts, and his contributions continue to inspire generations. Tagore’s seminal works, such as Gitanjali, for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1913, deeply reflect the cultural richness and spiritual depth of India, touching all aspects of human life. While he is most known for his vast collection of poems, which did not leave out any human emotion untouched, his stories, plays, and novels portray a vivid tapestry of Bengali life, intricately weaving themes of love, societal norms, and the quest for identity. His legacy in prose, marked by a harmonious blend of Eastern and Western thought, is known for being progressive and ahead of time, underscoring the timeless nature of his creative genius. 


His timeless stories have found expression on the silver screen across different eras, with many filmmakers seeking to bring them to life through film over the years. As May 7 marks the 163rd birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, as per the Gregorian calendar, here is a look at some of these adaptations that not only pay homage to Tagore’s literary genius but also demonstrate the versatility of his storytelling, which transcends cultural and linguistic boundaries.


Charulata (1964)


Directed by the legendary Satyajit Ray, Charulata is a poignant adaptation of Tagore’s novella ‘Nashtanirh’. The film, often hailed as one of Ray’s masterpieces, tells the story of a lonely housewife, played by Madhabi Mukherjee, whose life takes a turn when her husband’s cousin visits them.



Where to watch Charulata film: YouTube


Kabuliwala (1961)


This heart-wrenching film by Hemen Gupta and starring Balraj Sahni in the title role is based on Tagore’s short story of the same name. It narrates the tale of a Kabuliwala, a vendor from the Afghanistan capital of Kabul, and his emotional bond with a young girl his daughter’s age in Kolkata.



Where to watch Kabuliwala film: Mubi


Teen Kanya (1961)


Another Satyajit Ray creation, Teen Kanya is an anthology that brings together three of Tagore’s popular stories: The Postmaster, Monihara, and Samapti. Each story offers a unique perspective on love, loss, and life’s unexpected turns. Aparna Sen made her debut with this film.



Where to watch Teen Kanya film: YouTube


Ghare Baire (1984)


Satyajit Ray adapted another of Tagore’s works with Ghare Baire. The film starring Soumitra Chatterjee, Victor Banerjee, and Swatilekha Sengupta in the lead roles is a gripping exploration of personal and political conflict in pre-Independence India, showcasing a love triangle set against the backdrop of the Swadeshi movement.



Where to watch Ghare Baire film: Epicon


Chokher Bali (2003)


Directed by Rituparno Ghosh, Chokher Bali features Aishwarya Rai in the lead role. This adaptation of Tagore’s novel dives deep into the complexities of relationships and social norms.



Where to watch Chokher Bali film: Hoichoi


Noukadubi (1947, 2011)


Director Naresh Chandra Mitra brought Tagore’s 1916 novel Noukadubi to the screen, weaving a tale of mistaken identity and the intertwined fates of four individuals following a tragic boat accident. A 1946 Hindi film, Milan, starring Dilip Kumar was an adaptation of the same novel. In 2011, Rituparno Ghosh also made a Bengali film, Noukadubi, starring Prosenjit, Rima Sen, Raima Sen, and Jisshu Sengupta. 



Where to watch Noukadubi film: Amazon Prime