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Binodini
This is one of Tagore's most remarkable novels. Originally published in Bengali in 1902, in no other novel is he a better storyteller. In no other novel has he watched the human drama with such gentle and calm irony.
247 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2012
12 people are currently reading
348 people want to read
About the author
Rabindranath Tagore
2,587 books4,264 followersAwarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 "because of his profoundly sensitive, fresh and beautiful verse, by which, with consummate skill, he has made his poetic thought, expressed in his own English words, a part of the literature of the West."
Tagore modernised Bengali art by spurning rigid classical forms and resisting linguistic strictures. His novels, stories, songs, dance-dramas, and essays spoke to topics political and personal. Gitanjali (Song Offerings), Gora (Fair-Faced), and Ghare-Baire (The Home and the World) are his best-known works, and his verse, short stories, and novels were acclaimed—or panned—for their lyricism, colloquialism, naturalism, and unnatural contemplation. His compositions were chosen by two nations as national anthems: India's Jana Gana Mana and Bangladesh's Amar Shonar Bangla.
The complete works of Rabindranath Tagore (রবীন্দ্র রচনাবলী) in the original Bengali are now available at these third-party websites:
http://www.tagoreweb.in/
http://www.rabindra-rachanabali.nltr....
Tagore modernised Bengali art by spurning rigid classical forms and resisting linguistic strictures. His novels, stories, songs, dance-dramas, and essays spoke to topics political and personal. Gitanjali (Song Offerings), Gora (Fair-Faced), and Ghare-Baire (The Home and the World) are his best-known works, and his verse, short stories, and novels were acclaimed—or panned—for their lyricism, colloquialism, naturalism, and unnatural contemplation. His compositions were chosen by two nations as national anthems: India's Jana Gana Mana and Bangladesh's Amar Shonar Bangla.
The complete works of Rabindranath Tagore (রবীন্দ্র রচনাবলী) in the original Bengali are now available at these third-party websites:
http://www.tagoreweb.in/
http://www.rabindra-rachanabali.nltr....
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 16, 2021
Review coming up 🕵️
September 3, 2013
A lovely story. About love that cannot be yours. Typical of that generation of Bengali literature. May feel out of place in today's context. But a great story book. My favourite Tagore novel.
August 5, 2016
Rabindranath Tagore is not an unknown name to any Bengali household. If not anything else, we are often accused of overusing it. I have miraculously stayed away from his work partly because I couldn't read the original (which is written in Bengali) owing to my lack of Bangla reading skills and partly because of the pressure to like his work. I have, however, made some exceptions by reading the English version of some of his books - Binodini is the latest read!
Binodini, named after the leading lady of the book, was originally written (as stated earlier) in Bengali under the name ‘Choker Bali’ (Literal translation: Eye-Sore). However given the popularity, it was later translated in English (By Krishna Kripalani) but the name was changed to Binodini, based on the original manuscript penned by Rabindranath Tagore himself in which he called it Binodini.
The novel is set in a wealthy Bengali family household in Calcutta at the time of the Raj. It is a simple story of intertwining complex human emotions wrapped around 4 characters – Mahendra, Asha (Mahendra’s Wife), Bihari (Mahendra’s Best Friend) & Binodini (A young widow who comes to live at Mahendra’s house on his mother’s request) - living in the household. The supporting characters include Rajlakshmi and Annapurna, Mahendra’s mother and aunt living with Mahendra.
I call it a simple story because there is no complexity in the outer world in the way things are placed between the characters themselves, however the intricate emotions and the writer’s maturity to represent them in varied flavours and intensity is fascinating. It is an experience of Tagore’s intuitive understanding of human nature and his inimitable style portraying shades of love and desire, of hurt pride and jealousy, of hearts full of emotions and minds full of judgment propelling the characters to move towards or away from each other.
I must warn the first time readers of Tagore’s work that he is known for over-dramatisation however this book seems to be on the milder side, thanks to Binodini – the noble laureate has been brilliant is her characterisation. Here’s a sneak peek into the story line:
Mahendra, as the spoilt brat, changes his mind about marriage after refusing Binodidni’s hand and marries Asha who was to be Bihari’s wife. Bihari, the faithful friend, crushes his own emotions for Asha under the weight of his long trusted friendship with Mahendra and becomes the much despised brother –in-law instead of the loving husband that he had imagined himself to be. After a short period of marital bliss, comes the enchanting Binodini who sweeps everyone off their feet by filling the void - in Asha’s life as her friend, in Mahendra’s life as the alluring playmate and in Biharis’ life as the missing piece of the puzzle. All empty spaces filled and puzzle solved, what is the problem then - one may ask?
Well, the problem is in returning the favour to Binodini. And thus begins the emotional saga which drowns them all and as they grapple with the hearts innermost desires and self-righteousness they discover they have all changed beyond recognition.
Binodini is portrayed as the main architect behind the turmoil that sweeps the lives of the other three. But the beauty lies in the fact that even though seen as the troublemaker – one cannot help but feel for her. The narration is from an onlooker’s perspective however every now and then it peeps into the character’s mind to reveal the deepest emotions in its barest form – which makes it a beautiful experience and one is forced to think how commonly and easily the heart rules over mind and influences every detail of our being..
The flow of language, in this translated version, may seem a bit patchy to the readers however, being familiar with Bengali I could imagine the depth and the beauty of the prose - both in meaning and in the layout. This is a cue for me to learn to read Bengali in order for me to enjoy more of Tagore’s original work and that nothing is lost in translation.
It is also necessary to point out that the translator had identified this problem before taking up this courageous task and states in the foreword that ‘between the two alternatives of taking liberties with the original in order to make the reading smooth for the reader and of rendering it faithfully, even at the cost of some obscurity and of inviting the charge that the translation is in places un-English, the translator has chosen the latter, in the hope that the intelligent reader would prefer grappling with the authentic to being entertained by the spurious.’
So hats off to Krishna Kripalani on that account.
Overall, it is not the language or the storyline but the representation of the interplay of human feelings with one another, so subtle yet so profound, that is appealing.
Here’s one of my favourite paras from the book –
‘He sat for a long time lost in thought. Then he re-read the letter two or three times. What was like a distant shadow was gradually assuming a concrete shape. The comet which had previously seemed like a dim speck in a corner of his life’s horizon now blazed its fiery tail across the sky.
The letter was indeed Binodini’s, though the simple-minded Asha had penned it as her own. Listening to Binodini’s dictation she had actually begun to feel the sentiments expressed therein. It was as if the dumbness within her had become articulate. Binodini’s words gave form to her own undefined pain, a pain she was conscious of but was unable to express. She said to herself, “what a wonderful friend to guess the secret of my heart and to mirror it so faithfully and so well!” Her devotion to Binodini was doubled; she felt more than ever dependent on one who provided the vehicle to her inmost thoughts.
Mahendra rose from the chair. His brow was clouded. He tried to be angry with Binodini but the more he tried the more annoyed he became with Asha instead. “What a nit-wit!” he chafed. “How trying for the husband!” He sank back into the chair and read the letter once again. Each time he read it he felt a secret thrill of pride and elation. He tried his best to imagine that what he was reading was Asha’s but found it impossible to do so. As soon as he had read a couple of lines a delicious suspicion bubbled up like foaming wine, wiping out the image of Asha. He was intoxicated by the prospect of a love, at once hidden and articulate, forbidden and forthcoming, poisonous and sweet, a love that was both a surrender and a challenge. He wished he could strike himself with a knife or do something drastic to break the spell of this intoxication and to divert his mind elsewhere. He banged his fist on the table and jumping up from his chair exclaimed, “Hang it all, I’ll burn the letter!” He brought the letter near the lamp but instead of burning it, re-read it once again.
When the servant cleaned the room the next morning, he found plenty of ashes lying about. They were not the relics of Asha’s letter but of the several unfinished replies which Mahendra attempted at night!’
Binodini, named after the leading lady of the book, was originally written (as stated earlier) in Bengali under the name ‘Choker Bali’ (Literal translation: Eye-Sore). However given the popularity, it was later translated in English (By Krishna Kripalani) but the name was changed to Binodini, based on the original manuscript penned by Rabindranath Tagore himself in which he called it Binodini.
The novel is set in a wealthy Bengali family household in Calcutta at the time of the Raj. It is a simple story of intertwining complex human emotions wrapped around 4 characters – Mahendra, Asha (Mahendra’s Wife), Bihari (Mahendra’s Best Friend) & Binodini (A young widow who comes to live at Mahendra’s house on his mother’s request) - living in the household. The supporting characters include Rajlakshmi and Annapurna, Mahendra’s mother and aunt living with Mahendra.
I call it a simple story because there is no complexity in the outer world in the way things are placed between the characters themselves, however the intricate emotions and the writer’s maturity to represent them in varied flavours and intensity is fascinating. It is an experience of Tagore’s intuitive understanding of human nature and his inimitable style portraying shades of love and desire, of hurt pride and jealousy, of hearts full of emotions and minds full of judgment propelling the characters to move towards or away from each other.
I must warn the first time readers of Tagore’s work that he is known for over-dramatisation however this book seems to be on the milder side, thanks to Binodini – the noble laureate has been brilliant is her characterisation. Here’s a sneak peek into the story line:
Mahendra, as the spoilt brat, changes his mind about marriage after refusing Binodidni’s hand and marries Asha who was to be Bihari’s wife. Bihari, the faithful friend, crushes his own emotions for Asha under the weight of his long trusted friendship with Mahendra and becomes the much despised brother –in-law instead of the loving husband that he had imagined himself to be. After a short period of marital bliss, comes the enchanting Binodini who sweeps everyone off their feet by filling the void - in Asha’s life as her friend, in Mahendra’s life as the alluring playmate and in Biharis’ life as the missing piece of the puzzle. All empty spaces filled and puzzle solved, what is the problem then - one may ask?
Well, the problem is in returning the favour to Binodini. And thus begins the emotional saga which drowns them all and as they grapple with the hearts innermost desires and self-righteousness they discover they have all changed beyond recognition.
Binodini is portrayed as the main architect behind the turmoil that sweeps the lives of the other three. But the beauty lies in the fact that even though seen as the troublemaker – one cannot help but feel for her. The narration is from an onlooker’s perspective however every now and then it peeps into the character’s mind to reveal the deepest emotions in its barest form – which makes it a beautiful experience and one is forced to think how commonly and easily the heart rules over mind and influences every detail of our being..
The flow of language, in this translated version, may seem a bit patchy to the readers however, being familiar with Bengali I could imagine the depth and the beauty of the prose - both in meaning and in the layout. This is a cue for me to learn to read Bengali in order for me to enjoy more of Tagore’s original work and that nothing is lost in translation.
It is also necessary to point out that the translator had identified this problem before taking up this courageous task and states in the foreword that ‘between the two alternatives of taking liberties with the original in order to make the reading smooth for the reader and of rendering it faithfully, even at the cost of some obscurity and of inviting the charge that the translation is in places un-English, the translator has chosen the latter, in the hope that the intelligent reader would prefer grappling with the authentic to being entertained by the spurious.’
So hats off to Krishna Kripalani on that account.
Overall, it is not the language or the storyline but the representation of the interplay of human feelings with one another, so subtle yet so profound, that is appealing.
Here’s one of my favourite paras from the book –
‘He sat for a long time lost in thought. Then he re-read the letter two or three times. What was like a distant shadow was gradually assuming a concrete shape. The comet which had previously seemed like a dim speck in a corner of his life’s horizon now blazed its fiery tail across the sky.
The letter was indeed Binodini’s, though the simple-minded Asha had penned it as her own. Listening to Binodini’s dictation she had actually begun to feel the sentiments expressed therein. It was as if the dumbness within her had become articulate. Binodini’s words gave form to her own undefined pain, a pain she was conscious of but was unable to express. She said to herself, “what a wonderful friend to guess the secret of my heart and to mirror it so faithfully and so well!” Her devotion to Binodini was doubled; she felt more than ever dependent on one who provided the vehicle to her inmost thoughts.
Mahendra rose from the chair. His brow was clouded. He tried to be angry with Binodini but the more he tried the more annoyed he became with Asha instead. “What a nit-wit!” he chafed. “How trying for the husband!” He sank back into the chair and read the letter once again. Each time he read it he felt a secret thrill of pride and elation. He tried his best to imagine that what he was reading was Asha’s but found it impossible to do so. As soon as he had read a couple of lines a delicious suspicion bubbled up like foaming wine, wiping out the image of Asha. He was intoxicated by the prospect of a love, at once hidden and articulate, forbidden and forthcoming, poisonous and sweet, a love that was both a surrender and a challenge. He wished he could strike himself with a knife or do something drastic to break the spell of this intoxication and to divert his mind elsewhere. He banged his fist on the table and jumping up from his chair exclaimed, “Hang it all, I’ll burn the letter!” He brought the letter near the lamp but instead of burning it, re-read it once again.
When the servant cleaned the room the next morning, he found plenty of ashes lying about. They were not the relics of Asha’s letter but of the several unfinished replies which Mahendra attempted at night!’
October 26, 2019
According to the introduction, this is often considered the first modern Indian novel. Having read a bit of Tagore in the past, I was expecting to be moved by his spiritual images and his lyrical language. But, this was not the case with this novel. The problem might have been with the translation. My lack of familiarity with social expectations between relatives in traditional Indian families may have also hindered my appreciation of this story.
August 17, 2017
Only a genius like Tagore could bring out the character of Bindoini so beautifully. The book revolves around the lives of 4 people, intertwined in a complex frame of human emotions. Extremely moving, very deep and sensuous.
December 8, 2025
The heart is a fickle being. It longs, retreats, reasons, and betrays itself; sometimes all in the same breath. Even after time has rewritten the terms, it clings on to what once felt inevitable and then punishes us for believing in them so deeply. That is its cruelty. But a fickle heart, for all its restlessness, is proof that something mattered enough to leave a mark.
Binodini by Rabindranath Tagore is a tale which is complex, artful and aching; reading it felt like witnessing an intimate unraveling of people and relationships. I was drawn to the way Tagore refuses to simplify human emotion. No one here remains innocent, and no choice is free from consequence. In place of binaries, Tagore unapologetically reveals a world where morality is tangled, desire inescapable, and that the human heart will always be a bastard.
This is a story steeped in loss and conflict and the story captures the heart in all its tragedy and contradiction. Lost love and lost innocence do not disappear; they reshape themselves into longing, quiet resentment and revenge. Silence hangs heavy; years pass with words left unsaid, emotions felt deeply but never voiced. There is an ethereal intimacy in touching her name written on her diary, as if that touch might travel across space and be felt.
PS: Although I enjoyed the story, I felt the English translation softened some of its emotional intimacy. Much of my response is shaped by the intricacy and beauty of the original Chokher Bali, as experienced through the series Stories by Rabindranath Tagore, directed by Anurag Basu
Binodini by Rabindranath Tagore is a tale which is complex, artful and aching; reading it felt like witnessing an intimate unraveling of people and relationships. I was drawn to the way Tagore refuses to simplify human emotion. No one here remains innocent, and no choice is free from consequence. In place of binaries, Tagore unapologetically reveals a world where morality is tangled, desire inescapable, and that the human heart will always be a bastard.
This is a story steeped in loss and conflict and the story captures the heart in all its tragedy and contradiction. Lost love and lost innocence do not disappear; they reshape themselves into longing, quiet resentment and revenge. Silence hangs heavy; years pass with words left unsaid, emotions felt deeply but never voiced. There is an ethereal intimacy in touching her name written on her diary, as if that touch might travel across space and be felt.
PS: Although I enjoyed the story, I felt the English translation softened some of its emotional intimacy. Much of my response is shaped by the intricacy and beauty of the original Chokher Bali, as experienced through the series Stories by Rabindranath Tagore, directed by Anurag Basu
October 31, 2018
This is one story I was waiting to read for a long long time. It is melodramatic, much to my dismay that I gave up after around 50 pages. But, I had heard on good authority that the ending was graceful and quite brilliant given the context.
The translation I cannot say is very good. I can only imagine the delight it would be for a native reader. Yet the character building, especially Binodini, is a marvellous task. The loose character of Mahendra who reader hates for sure, the same reader is constantly disambiguated when it comes to Binodini. Oh the strength of her character, never hides she's an enchantress, yet never can imagine to put passion over duty. The way she confronts Rajlakshmi about the sneaky witchcraft she carried out when she called her a seductress, her passionate proclamation of love for Behari although it could have explored a little more and not be so abrupt. Truth be told, I liked it, bless my romantic gooey heart! But boy, did I love the ending. Although it may be accused of being fitting of the contextual 19-20th century issue of widowhood but one has to appreciate the transformation from inferiority related to love deprivation to bliss by way of mere acceptance is a kind of maturity our human hearts are capable of. I believe it to be relevant even today. The untainted love is so beyond the materiality of desires, passion and beyond the strength of the hoi polloi.
The translation I cannot say is very good. I can only imagine the delight it would be for a native reader. Yet the character building, especially Binodini, is a marvellous task. The loose character of Mahendra who reader hates for sure, the same reader is constantly disambiguated when it comes to Binodini. Oh the strength of her character, never hides she's an enchantress, yet never can imagine to put passion over duty. The way she confronts Rajlakshmi about the sneaky witchcraft she carried out when she called her a seductress, her passionate proclamation of love for Behari although it could have explored a little more and not be so abrupt. Truth be told, I liked it, bless my romantic gooey heart! But boy, did I love the ending. Although it may be accused of being fitting of the contextual 19-20th century issue of widowhood but one has to appreciate the transformation from inferiority related to love deprivation to bliss by way of mere acceptance is a kind of maturity our human hearts are capable of. I believe it to be relevant even today. The untainted love is so beyond the materiality of desires, passion and beyond the strength of the hoi polloi.
November 20, 2020
Its a difficult task to review to the great work by tagore as his works are gem in itself,Still taking the risk, bare me...
Platter full of emotions and feelings. So beautifully described. Its amaze me everytime how tagore think of the women's deep inside feeling and the liberate thinking he create this character called Binodini in that period of time. I do believe its better to read in bengali language to understand more about the creative magic of language that must have been used in original text, but no option left I had to read the translation of Madam krishna. I must say you will enhance the quality to learn quite a set of vocabulary used by her. A tale of women or should I reconstruct it as a little view of feminism. A story with a moral, self pride, humanity, love,lust, beauty with brain and a learning ladder from innocence to maturity that life teaches a human. It is not just a story but a piece of imagination which will play with your emotions every time you try to justify any character. Loved it.
Platter full of emotions and feelings. So beautifully described. Its amaze me everytime how tagore think of the women's deep inside feeling and the liberate thinking he create this character called Binodini in that period of time. I do believe its better to read in bengali language to understand more about the creative magic of language that must have been used in original text, but no option left I had to read the translation of Madam krishna. I must say you will enhance the quality to learn quite a set of vocabulary used by her. A tale of women or should I reconstruct it as a little view of feminism. A story with a moral, self pride, humanity, love,lust, beauty with brain and a learning ladder from innocence to maturity that life teaches a human. It is not just a story but a piece of imagination which will play with your emotions every time you try to justify any character. Loved it.
May 21, 2023
للاطلاع على مراجعتي لرواية بنوديني للكاتب الهندي رابندرانات طاغور يسعدني تشريفكم لي على رابط المراجعة في مدونتي الشخصية:
https://saraellithy90.blogspot.com/20...
في انتظار تعليقاتكم ومناقشاتكم المثمرة في خانة التعليقات أسفل المراجعة على المدونة
كما يسعدني متابعتكم للمدونة من خلال رابط المتابعة بها ليصلكم كل جديد أولاً بأول
https://saraellithy90.blogspot.com/20...
في انتظار تعليقاتكم ومناقشاتكم المثمرة في خانة التعليقات أسفل المراجعة على المدونة
كما يسعدني متابعتكم للمدونة من خلال رابط المتابعة بها ليصلكم كل جديد أولاً بأول
May 4, 2018
domestic drama, average book
May 17, 2020
It’s a nice story I’ll give it that. But the translation is bad. I’m abandoning the book half way.
April 13, 2021
My first fiction read
March 30, 2016
Nice if you like drama. I don't, so I found it just about bearable. :-)
The book talks of pre-independence era. In a Tagorian style, the central character is a strong woman and then there is a lot of Tagorian drama. The widow is a victim of a leering eye. She then decides to fight for what now becomes her game.
The book talks of pre-independence era. In a Tagorian style, the central character is a strong woman and then there is a lot of Tagorian drama. The widow is a victim of a leering eye. She then decides to fight for what now becomes her game.
August 12, 2014
Over-the-top dramatic most of the time, sometimes too much but mostly fun. Tagore is a good story teller. Supposedly one of the first modern engali novels (1902).
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June 16, 2025
Loved it
Highly Recommended✨❤️
Highly Recommended✨❤️
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