7 Progressive Heroines from Rabindranath Tagore Works

Tagore is the master of literature, a writer of impeccable flair, even complimenting him is beyond the skill of our mundane minds. Very appropriately named Gurdev, he is in fact a teacher to all writers who have begun their journeys on the path of literature. Yet, what many might not know about him is that he was one of the greatest feminists we had the opportunity to read. His works were ahead of his era, and he gave immense meaning to women representation in literature. His characters of women were increasingly progressive, unafraid and away from the general patriarchal perception.

Posted On November 3rd, 2020

Charulata in Nastanirh

Charulata is a bold woman, who is not afraid to pursue what she needs. She is educated and well interested in arts, exploring literature every moment she gets. When her husband fails her to provide with the affection she needs, she diverts to another place. She is flawed just like everyone and that is perhaps her biggest perfection.

Binodini in Chokher Bali

Binodini was created as a girl who was widowed young. From here on she pursues her love and friendship in three complicated affairs. A commentary on women literacy, widow lives in India and injustice on women, the story entails around Binodini. She is a bold girl who asks for what she wants and when Mahendra fails her, she is not afraid to leave him behind.

Malini in Malini

Malini is a short story. The character Malini, is a princess who decides to leave everything she has behind to pursue an ambiguous path. Her courage to leave home and decide her own fate is applaudable, a dauntless princess who believes in writing her own destiny is any day the first lesson of feminism.

Giribala in Mannbhanjan

Giribala is tired of her husband’s apathy who rolls in wine and women all day. His latest passions were aroused by a stage actress, Labganaga. Giribala decides to pay this woman a visit and see what she holds to be impeccable. Instead, she is infatuated by the world of stage and theatre. After discovering her admiration for the stage she discards her husband and pursues her own destiny.

Mrinal in A Wife’s Letter

Mrinal is an independent and intelligent character. She believes in what is right and at the end becomes unafraid of calling out the society on their patriarchy. Not only that she stands up for the miserable Bindu when nobody has the courage to do the same. An icon, Mrinal is an inspiration for us all.

Bimala in Home and The World

Bimala’s character development was unmatchable. From a woman who was manipulated into the lies of nationalism to one who realized the true meaning of it. She makes mistakes, she lies too but at the end, she comes out as a woman of her own. She becomes a participant in the Indian nationalist movement and also changes her opinion about her husband, who for a change was a good man.

Mrinmoyee in Sampati

The book narrates the story of the transformation of Mrinmoyee from a young tomboy girl to an elegant, loving bride as society expects her to do. Her whims and childlike acts spring from her immense love for independence and how marriage would bind her. She does not change into a wife at society’s demand, instead, she becomes a woman from a girl and realizes how her love has changed.