Chitra – Rabindranath Tagore

Could not post for a long time – I was honing my skills as a cook.

I got the best birthday gift ever – The complete works of Rabindranath Tagore. This post is about the first play in the second volume – Chitra.

My introduction to the works of Tagore was – Chokerbali. After watching the movie, I wanted to read the book. It gives me a kick to read the book and re-discover that “the book is better than the movie” – each time. Perhaps lord of the rings is an exception – my personal opinion. The description was boringly long – I could never finish reading it.

Coming back to the play – Chitra.

The plot goes like – There is this princess Chitra – who did all things boys her age did. She was a tomboy as a kid. She knew how to use a sword and protect her subjects. Due to this, she grew up to have a body that is not very attractive and lady-like with a lil’ muscle here and there.

One day, She sees Arjuna in the forest and falls in love with him. But then, she cannot get him take interest in her ‘coz of her manly appearance. So, she asks her friend Madana who happens to be a god (boy-o-boy! gods being friends with princes and princesses ), to bless her with a lady-like body for sometime. He does and Arjuna does get bowled over.

Then, they happily dance around the trees and romance – perhaps like any other couple in their times did. Just at the time her boon is about to expire, Arjuna hears about this princess called Chitra and her tales. He is awed by her and stops paying attention to this lady. Then, this lady reveals that she herself is Chitra and there is a happy ending with Arjuna saying – “I’m a complete man – Raymonds” – no he does not say “Raymonds”.

Though there are certain things in the story that the feminist in me refuses to digest, it was put across very well. Again, like in Chokerbali, there is life in the characters – You are hypnotized to believe that the issues Chitra is facing are your own. I enjoyed myself reading it.

The fact that Chitra wanted to turn herself into what pleases Arjuna – is disgusting and childish at the least.