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Unit 3: Chitra by Rabindranath Tagore

She proved her equality. She equalled herself with her ancestors who made penance for child. Notes
Srimati in “NatirPuja” makes supreme sacrifice which is dazzling one. She has equalled herself
with the males who sacrificed for the noble cause of religion.

Thomas A Becket in ‘Murder in the Cathedral’ makes deliberate efforts to become martyr. If we
compare his sacrifice with Srimati our conclusion is ‘Srimati is superior.’ He is a priest of high
rank and she is court dancer of low rank. Srimati becomes a model martyr. Her religious sense
is superior to those who just pretend to be religious. Prakriti in ‘Chandalika’ stands for the
revolt against conventions. She proves that a woman has equal right to choose her life member.
She does not care for caste, creed and religion for the fulfilment of her ambition. Rabindranath
Tagore’s women characters are as conscious as modern women are. They try to gain
self-improvement. Tagore has given priority to his female characters. Chitra had never thought
she is inferior to men and learnt the duties of men.
The modern women have entered several sectors and are performing responsibilities equal to
their male counterparts. Chitra’s desire of challenging Arjuna in single combat shows her
modernity. She loves her people like her children. As modern women are serving the country
joining defence services, she too was defending her people.
Srimati was a court dancer in the court of Magadha. She was considered the means of
entertainment. When the royal Authority banned the worship, she performs worship at the cost
of her own life she does not care for the royal order. She crosses the barriers in the way of her
worship. Fear of death did not astray her from her holy performance.
Rabindranath Tagore has described the journey of his women characters from ignorance to
knowledge. Self-consciousness in all the characters play vital role in their development. As far
as Chitra had no consciousness as woman, she was just the princess of the land. When she sees
Arjuna, she realizes for the first time her womanhood.
Physical attraction enhances passion in her heart for Arjuna. She makes an experiment of penance
and borrowing beauty due to her self-consciousness. Arjuna violates his vow of celibacy under
the impression of Chitra’s heavenly beauty. Chitra gets courage and inspiration out of her
self-consciousness and acts further.
When Srimati had no self-consciousness, she had no courage at all. After listening to the message
of equality from Upali and Utpalparna, she becomes conscious of her own self. Her mind set is
completely changed after realization of herself.
She criticizes superficial sense of religion. She considers herself as a Budhist devotee. She faces
the threat of life by performing holy worship. It is the consciousness of Srimati, which lifts her
from a mere dancing girl to the height of martyr. When Prakriti realizes her identity, she
becomes strong willed. She thinks when other girls are free to choose their life partners. Then
why not she is allowed to do the same? Her consciousness inculcates in her mind the strength to
venture further to gain Ananda. She brings him under the control of black magic. She withdraws
the magical effect from Ananda out of sympathy. Therefore, Prakriti becomes stronger to Ananda.
Rabindranath Tagore’s ‘Chitra’, ‘Srimati’ and ‘Prakriti’ have significant status. They are shown
self-sufficient and self-cantered. They remain victorious. Chitra proves her ability by defeating
Arjuna in the battle of romance. Srimati proves her superiority by making supreme sacrifice for
the noble cause of religion. Prakriti shows her strength by making Ananda to come to her
door-steps begging for love. Therefore, Rabindranath Tagore’s women characters are superior
to other ordinary women in the society. They are role models for the women. Suffering women
can improve their circumstances by imitating the women characters of Rabindranath Tagore.
They may realize their strength and may improve their condition.

Task Read Tagore’s play The Post Office.

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