Raktakarabi

Book Details

• Author: Rabindranath Thakur

• Category: Novels & Short Stories

• Publisher: National Book Agency Private Limited

• Language: Bengali

• First Publication Year: 2002

• Publication Year: 2024

• Edition: 2nd Edition

• Binding: Paperback

• Number of Pages: 128

• ISBN: 9789392593475

About the Book:

Raktakarabi (The Red Poppy) is a thought-provoking play by the legendary poet and playwright Rabindranath Tagore. Initially written and revised multiple times from May 1923, it was finalized in 1924. The play delves into the conflict between human progress driven by materialism and the emotional and spiritual aspects of life.

In Raktakarabi, Tagore explores how the pursuit of material wealth and mechanical power isolates humanity from its natural essence. The male characters in the play represent an overpowering desire for wealth, disconnected from the nurturing forces of life. However, with the arrival of Nandini, a character symbolizing femininity and life’s vitality, the balance shifts. Her presence disrupts the oppressive force of greed and power, symbolizing how love and emotional fulfillment can free individuals from self-imposed confines.

Tagore’s Raktakarabi offers a powerful commentary on how unchecked materialism leads to a loss of joy and human connection, while the embrace of love and nature restores true harmony and fulfillment.