Tagore's Mystery Woman!

We know him as the First Indian to win a nobel prize.

We know him as the pioneer of Indian literature.

We know him as the progenitor of Rabindra Sangeet.

We know him as someone who gave back the prestigious title of knighthood to voice his anger against the Britishers.

But we have little idea about Kavi Guru Rabindranath Tagore's love life.

Rabi Thakur was a man of love, love was the main ingredient in most of his poems, love was something he longed for, love was something he craved for his whole life. He had many women in his life, he composed several verses for them, he pictured them as the ideal women, he gave them a different name, a different identity, he made them immortal.

But there was someone special whom he remained dedicated to his whole life:

• Kadambari Devi-

Married to Jyotirindranth Tagore at the bare age of 10, she developed a close bond with his younger brother, the 8 year old Rabindranath. Having an equal passion for literature, both soon became best friends-with Kadambari cheering for the young Rabi when he wrote excellent pieces and criticising him when his writings weren't up to the mark. What started as a friendly bondage between the two soon developed into a love affair, the heat of which when started spreading outside, the great poet's father decided to get him married. Kadambari poisoned herself to death just four months after that. While the reasons are still unknown she was apparently grieved by Rabindranath's marriage and took such a drastic step. She is immortalized by Srimati Hey, Notun Bouthan, Bhogna Hridey and several other compositions by her brother-in-law.

• Mrinalini Devi-

To prevent family shame after the news of affair started circulating, the family members started pressurizing Rabi to marry. Soon a now 22-year old Rabi was tied nuptially with 10- year old Mrinalini. For years when he was either abroad or travelling to other cities he wrote her a number of letters. Though he had many muses throughout his life but he loved his wife deeply. When she was at her deathbed at the young age of 29, he is said to have remained by her bedside for months caring for her. Rabi Thakur never re-married again and in many of his poems he explains how indebted he felt to his wife for giving everything she could to him and his family.

• Nalini-

Rabindranath was going to travel to London for the first time. A family friend Atmaram, introduced him to his daughter Annapurna and wanted her to teach him English poise and style. Annapurna was from the very beginning smitten with Rabi and when she came to know about him being a poet, she asked him to compose a poem on her. Kobi kahini was his first his first verse and the first place he gave Annapurna her literary name -Nalini- the protagonist of several of his dramas and plays.

Though the famous Vishwakavi had many muses but he was never properly able to forget his first love, Kadambari. It is said that whenever he had a foul mood or was facing writer's block he used to see a picture of Kadambari to help him gain confidence. Though the real mystery of Tagore's ladies has bid adieu with his soul passing away, it are his poems and dramas that help us re-live and re-trace his life through our eyes.

A hundred years hence

What young poet

Sings songs in your homes!

For him

I send my tidings of joy of this spring.

Let it echo for a moment

In your spring, in your heartbeats,

In the humming of the bees

In the rustling of the leaves

A hundred years hence.

References:

Image Courtesy- Google

Excerpts from Wikipedia

Excerpts from Aji Hote Shoto Borsho Pore(A hundred years hence), translated by Kumud Biswas for All Poetry