The Lost Muse of Rabindranath Tagore
Words by Amrita Ray
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The Lost Muse of Rabindranath Tagore by Amrita Ray
"But where is the sweetheart of mine who was almost the only companion of my boyhood, and with whom I spent my idle days of youth exploring the mysteries of dreamland? She, my Queen, has died and my world has shut against the door of its inner apartment of beauty which gives on the real taste of freedom."
These poignant words of lament were those of the esteemed poet, writer and playwright Rabindranath Tagore from a letter he wrote to fellow social reformer, CF Andrew. In the letter the poet bemoans the death of his muse, his friend, confidant and critic, his sister-in-law, Kadambari Devi. Not many are aware of her or of her influence on the great poet's literary career or of how she continued to influence him even after her untimely and tragic death.