Selected Short Stories

Summary

'The poem I had planned to write on the banks of the Ganga was never written. But it materialized in my life.'

Rabindranath Tagore (1861–1941), Nobel laureate and polymath, is one of the most eminent Indian writers of world literature. This volume presents new English translations of twenty of his short stories. Taking in a wide variety of registers (comedies, tragedies, the mundane and the fantastical), the selection showcases Tagore as one of the earliest practitioners of the short story genre in the Bengali language, influenced by both Indian and Western traditions. In particular, Tagore added a unique style of his own to Western conventions of the short story form, allowing him to present the everyday in literary vignettes, seamlessly weaving in the rhythms of daily life, rural landscapes. The stories also offer social critiques—of colonialism, dowry, and immolation of widows. A highly sensitive and thoughtful observer of life, Tagore's vision transcends regional boundaries, embracing a universal humanity that resonates across cultures, while never denouncing a deep indigeneity.

These authoritative translations by a team of expert scholars are accompanied by Sumit Chakrabarti's introduction, reflecting on the literary and historical implications of Tagore's stories.