Rabindranath Tagore stories translated into cinema : Chokher Bali

Thursday, July 17, 2025

Rabindranath Tagore stories translated into cinema

Rabindranath Tagore

Rabindranath Tagore is not someone who needs any introduction. Tagore has made an impact on Indian literature which is comparable to William Shakespeare`s influence on western literature.
On his birthday we bring to you five of his works that were made into movies.
Noted directors have time and again tried to tell Tagore`s stories through the medium of cinema. The five listed here are only a few of a must watch list.

Natir Puja

Movie : Natir Puja
Year: 1932
Director: Rabindranath Tagore

The only movie directed by the Nobel winning poet himself, this movie did not do well commercially. But Tagore had used amateurs for the movie and it is considered a gem for its story. However the prints of the film were destroyed in a fire. Attempts have been made to restore the prints and some of it can be found on Youtube

Kabuliwala

Movie: Kabuliwala
Year: 1961
Director: Hemen Gupta

Directed by Hemen Gupta, noted filmmaker Bimal Roy backed this memorable movie. The touching short story is about a Afghani trader Abdur Rehman and a little girl called Mini. The movie had some beautiful performances and also has the unforgettable song `Aye mere pyaare watan` rendered by Manna Dey.

Ghare Baire

Movie: Ghare Baire
Year: 1985 (Ghare Baire)
Director: Satyajit Ray

Popularly known as `Home and the World`, this movie traced the tale of a love triangle. But, that is just the main plot. The story was very modern compared to the times it was written. It also mirrored the underlying conflicts during the independence struggles. Tagore`s vision as a modern figure of inspiration was very apparent in Ray`s protagonists.

Lekin...

Movie: Lekin...
Year: 1991 (Kshudhit Pashaan)
Director: Gulzar

Gulzar`s `Lekin...` is losely based on Tagore`s `Khudito Pashan`. The movie was also made in Bengali. Some of the stalwarts of Hindi cinema were part of the off beat movie like Hema Malini, Dimple Kapadia, Vinod Khanna, Amjad Khan. The movie boasts of some soul rendering numbers like `Yaara Seeli Seeli`, `Kesariya Baalma` and `Jhoothe Naina`

Chokher Bali

Movie: Chokher Bali
Year: 2003 (Chokher Bali)
Director: Rituparno Ghosh

Starring Aishwarya Rai, `Chokher Bali` won the National Award for Best Film in Bengali. The story revolves around the relationships, love, adultery, in an elaborate description of the 20th century Bengal and the society. Ghosh treated the story with visual mastery and was lauded for the finery and taste with which he handled the subject.