Rabindranath Tagore birth anniversary: Pather Panchali to Kabuliwala films inspired by poet's work

Rabindranath Tagore

Rabindranath Tagore's literary works have left a profound impact on Indian cinema and several renowned filmmakers have been inspired by his writings. Today, on May 7, as we celebrate Rabindranath Tagore's birth anniversary, here is a list of iconic film adaptations of his works that you should not miss.

Pather Panchali

'Pather Panchali' has to be one of Satyajit Ray's best works. The movie was the first installment of Ray's acclaimed Apu Trilogy. It beautifully captures the life of a young boy named Apu and his family in rural Bengal, portraying themes of innocence, struggle, and hope. Ray got the idea of making this beautiful film from one of Tagore's short stories. 'Pather Panchali' is based on Rabindranath Tagore's short story 'Aparajito.'

Charulata

It looks like Satyajit Ray was highly inspired by Tagore's work, as another masterpiece by the ace filmmaker was also based on Rabindranath's work. Another masterpiece by Satyajit Ray, 'Charulata,' is based on Tagore's novella 'Nastanirh' (The Broken Nest). The film revolves around the lonely and intellectually curious Charulata, her unfulfilled desires, and her relationship with her husband's cousin.

Ghare Baire

Yet another beautiful film, 'Ghare Baire' by Ray, was also inspired by Tagore's novel with the same name. This movie explores the themes of nationalism, love, and political awakening. The film is set during the Swadeshi movement in India and revolves around the love triangle between Bimala, Nikhilesh, and Sandip.

Kabuliwala

'Kabuliwala' is a Bengali short story written by Rabindranath Tagore in 1892. The story is about a fruit seller, a Pashtun from Kabul, Afghanistan, who visits Calcutta each year to sell dry fruits. The story was adapted by director Hemen Gupta, who in 2023 made a movie out of it. The movie starred Mithun Chakraborty as Rahmat Khan.

Chokher Bali

There have been several filmmakers who have been inspired by Rabindranath Tagore's short films and writings. Another one was directed by Rituparno Ghosh and based on Tagore's novel 'Chokher Bali.' This film explores complex relationships and emotions in the lives of its central characters. The story delves into themes of love, desire, and betrayal, making it a captivating cinematic experience.