Rabindranath Tagore, arguably the most revered literary figure in India reshaped Bengali Literature with his profound writing, poems and art. He could envisage the emergence of future technology and its dynamics. Even at the infancy of cinema, at the second decade of the last century, he could realize that this form of art will take centre stage. The poet correctly prophesied that the very form, which is a blend of all other forms of art namely literature, music, art and theatre juxtaposed under the auspicious of modern technology, might be the youngest in the pantheon but one day it will rule over all other forms.
The stalwart, who not only touched every nook and corner of the Bangla literature but also enriched the global literature as well, also inspired the filmmakers of many languages over the last eight decades or so.
Satyajit Roy, the most acclaimed filmmaker of Bangla film not only made a documentary on the life of the great man but also made several films based on his creation.
Lekin (1991)
Director: Gulzar
Cast: Vinod Khanna, Dimple Kapadia &HemaMalini
The famous lyricist Gulzar wrote the screenplay based on Kshudhit Pashaan. The film was produced by legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar and won 5 Indian National film Awards.
Oka ChinnaMaata (1997)
Director: Muthyala Subbaiah
Cast: Jagapati Babu, Indraja
ATelegu romantic film based on Rabindranath Tagore’s novel ‘Naukadubi‘.
Chokher Bali (2003)
Director: Rituparno Ghosh
Aishwarya Rai, Prasenjit Chatterjee, Raima Sen, Tota Roy Chowdhury
Even the mainstream commercial film star of Bollywood, Aishwarya Rai was inspired by Tagore. Veteran Subhash Ghai of Bombay tinsel town joined acclaimed award winning director-storyteller Rituparno Ghosh in his first bilingual venture.
Charulata (1964)
Director: Satyajit Ray
Cast: Soumitra Chatterjee, Madhabi Mukherjee, Shailen Mukherjee
Satyajit is perhaps the only person who perfectly bore the tradition of Tagore.
Ghare Baire (1984)
Director: Satyajit Ray
Casts: Swatilekha Chatterjee (Sengupta), Victor Banerjee, Jennifer Kendal, Soumitra Chatterjee
Another Bengali classic depicting the political confusion and turmoil of Swadeshi era.
Chaturanga (2008)
Director: Suman Mukhopadhyay
Cast: Dhritiman Chatterjee, Rituparna Sengupta, Joy Sengupta
A recent Bangla film, made by a director, who generates the aura of third cinema and political cult, was even inspired by the bard.
Kabuliwala (1961)
Director: Hemen Gupta
Cast: Balraj Sahni, Usha Kiran, Sajjan, Sonu and Baby Farida
A Hindi film based on Rabindranath Tagore’s story ‘Kabuliwala’. The story talks about the relationship between Mini and Kabuliwala Abdur Rahamat Khan who sees in the little girl his own daughter left behind in Kabul.