Five Short Stories by Rabindranath Tagore That You Must Read

Five Short Stories by Rabindranath Tagore That You Must Read

Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore needs no introduction. The Bard of Bengal is internationally renowned for his considerable contributions to art, culture, music, and literature. On the 161st birthday of the first Indian Nobel laureate, we take the opportunity to cherish his works that focused on the then prevalent social issues.
Rabindranath highlighted the powerlessness and pitiable condition of women in the British era. He also tried to bring out the father-daughter affection in many of his stories. We have mentioned here five short stories by the Biswakobi that one must read at least once in their lifetime.

Kabuliwala

This story revolves around Abdur Rahman, a Kabul native who came to Calcutta to sell seasonal commodities. The narration is by the father of a lively and talkative five-year-old Mini, who reminds Kabuliwala on his daughter’s wedding day in Kabul.The story also highlights the unconditional love of a father for his daughter.

Mashi

The plot focuses on young Mani married to Jotin, whom she never gelled with. Instead, Mani wanted to go to her parent’s place to attend her sister’s rice ceremony. Mashi, a widow for most of her life, tried to comfort Jotin by lying about Mani’s love for him. The story primarily talks about the burden on Mani concerning early marriage and relationship handling.

The Postmaster

This story is about a man who has been transferred to a remote village in Bengal called Ulapur. The village was serene and silent, but the postmaster preferred the hubbub of the city over this calmness. He longed to return to Calcutta and meet people with the same mentality as his.

The Editor

Tagore beautifully portrayed the affectionate father-daughter relationship in this story. The narrator and his kid were not close initially, but they bonded more after his wife’s demise. The story also highlights the struggles and challenges that an earning member had to face during that time.

Subha

This story revolves around a dumb village girl in Chandipur. Due to her physical handicap, her parents are stressed about her marriage. Subha’s only friends are two domesticated cows, with whom she finds a resemblance to her condition.
When you read the above stories by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, you realize the subtlety and poignancy in his works. Some issues still prevail in our society, making these stories exist beyond time boundaries.