Tagore works should reach masses: Sharmila

The legacy of Rabindranath Tagore should reach the masses across the country on his 150th birth anniversary in 2011 with more translations in Hindi, says yesteryears actress Sharmila Tagore, herself a scion of the Tagore family. Sharmila is the great grand-daughter of Rabindranath Tagore's nephew Gaganendranath Tagore, considered one of the finest early modern painters in the country. She is currently in the capital on a personal mission.

"The Nobel Laureate's 150th birth anniversary is a great occasion for young people across India, who are not aware of his work, to know the poet's literary and artistic achievements. His literature and art are like an ocean. More of his literary works should be translated in Hindi than in English," Tagore, who is also the censor board chief, told IANS.

The censor board chief said she and her family have taken "several initiatives to carry Tagore to the masses throughout the year".

"We are not part of the government's National Implementation Committee on Tagore's 150th Birth Anniversary. We are working privately," she said.

The leading lady of yesteryears, who is Nawab of Pataudi's Mansur Ali Khan's wife, said "last week she visited a school and found that Bengali pronunciations varied from student to student".

"A 10-year-old student recited a Bengali poem Chitta Jetha Bhoi Shunya (Where the Mind is Without Fear) and his Bengali diction was perfect. It was such a joy. I think every generation must know the depth of Tagore's works," she said.

Sharmila has a "modest collection of art from the family of Tagore at her home".


Full report here Hindustan Times