Read Kartar Bhoot by Rabindranath Tagore Online or Download PDF - A Summary and Analysis of the Ghost Story
Kartar Bhoot By Rabindranath Tagore Pdf 11: A Review of a Classic Bengali Ghost Story
If you are looking for a fun and spooky read that will make you laugh, cry, and shiver at the same time, then you should check out Kartar Bhoot by Rabindranath Tagore. This is one of the most famous and beloved ghost stories in Bengali literature, written by none other than the Nobel laureate poet, novelist, and musician. In this article, we will review this classic tale of friendship, courage, and justice between a boy and a ghost.
Kartar Bhoot By Rabindranath Tagore Pdf 11
Introduction
Kartar Bhoot, which means The Ghost of Kartar in English, is a short story written by Rabindranath Tagore in 1915. It was first published in a magazine called Prabasi in 1916, and later included in a collection of stories called Golpo Guccho (Bunch of Stories) in 1934. The story is set in rural Bengal during the British colonial rule, and revolves around the adventures of a young Brahmin boy named Gora and his ghostly friend Kartar Singh.
The story is considered to be one of the best examples of Tagore's mastery of storytelling. It combines elements of comedy, horror, romance, and social commentary in a captivating way. It also showcases Tagore's deep understanding of human nature, culture, and history. The story has been widely read and appreciated by generations of Bengali readers, as well as translated into many other languages.
The main theme and message of the story is that friendship transcends all barriers of caste, creed, religion, and death. It also shows that good always triumphs over evil, and that justice is eventually served. The story also reflects Tagore's views on nationalism, patriotism, and spirituality, as well as his criticism of superstition, violence, and oppression.
Summary of the Plot
The story begins with the introduction of Kartar Singh, a Sikh soldier who is stationed in a village near Calcutta. He is a brave and loyal warrior who loves his country and his religion. He is also fond of music and poetry, and often sings songs in Bengali. One night, he is attacked and killed by a gang of robbers who loot his belongings and throw his body into a river. His spirit, however, does not leave the earth, and becomes a ghost.
Meanwhile, in the same village, there lives a boy named Gora, who is the son of a poor Brahmin priest. He is a curious and intelligent boy who loves to read books and learn new things. He is also brave and adventurous, and often gets into trouble with his elders and peers. He is unhappy with his life, as he feels that he has no friends or fun. One day, he finds a book that belongs to Kartar Singh, and decides to keep it.
That night, he is visited by the ghost of Kartar Singh, who comes to claim his book. Gora is initially scared, but soon realizes that Kartar is a friendly and harmless ghost. He also learns that Kartar can only be seen and heard by him, and that he can change his shape and size at will. The two become friends, and Kartar agrees to stay with Gora and help him in his studies, adventures, and love life.
Kartar becomes Gora's guardian angel, protecting him from dangers and enemies. He also teaches him many things about life, history, and culture. He introduces him to Shanti, a beautiful girl who lives in the neighboring village, and helps him woo her. He also helps him deal with his rivals, such as Haru, a rich and arrogant boy who likes Shanti too, and Bishu, a wicked teacher who hates Gora.
Kartar also faces his own enemies, such as the robbers who killed him and are still roaming around the village. He decides to take revenge on them, and exposes their crimes to the authorities. He also confronts a fake saint who tries to cheat the villagers with his tricks and miracles. He exposes his fraudulence and drives him away.
The story reaches its climax when Kartar learns that one of the robbers who killed him is none other than Haru's father. He decides to kill him, but Gora stops him from doing so. He tells him that killing is wrong, and that he should forgive his enemies. He also tells him that he should seek peace and salvation for his soul, rather than revenge and violence. Kartar listens to Gora's words, and realizes that he has learned a lot from him.
The story ends with Kartar bidding farewell to Gora and Shanti, who have fallen in love with each other. He tells them that he is grateful for their friendship, and that he will always remember them. He also tells them that he has found peace and happiness in his heart, and that he is ready to leave the earth. He then disappears into the sky, leaving behind a trail of light.
Analysis of the Characters
The story has several characters who play important roles in the plot. Here are some of the main ones:
- Kartar Singh: He is the protagonist of the story, and the ghost of a Sikh soldier who was killed by robbers. He is a brave, loyal, and humorous ghost who loves his country and his religion. He is also fond of music and poetry, and often sings songs in Bengali. He becomes friends with Gora, a young Brahmin boy, and helps him in his studies, adventures, and love life. He also faces his enemies and avenges his death. He finally attains peace and salvation after learning from Gora the values of friendship, forgiveness, and non-violence. - Gora: He is the deuteragonist of the story, and a young Brahmin boy who lives in a village near Calcutta. He is a curious, intelligent, and kind-hearted boy who loves to read books and learn new things. He is also brave and adventurous, and often gets into trouble with his elders and peers. He is unhappy with his life, as he feels that he has no friends or fun. He meets Kartar Singh, the ghost of a Sikh soldier, and becomes his friend and protégé. He learns many things from Kartar, such as history, culture, - Shanti: She is the tritagonist of the story, and a beautiful girl who lives in the neighboring village. She is the daughter of a rich and influential landlord, who wants her to marry Haru, a rich and arrogant boy. She is a gentle, sweet, and smart girl who loves nature and animals. She meets Gora, a poor and brave boy, and falls in love with him. She also becomes friends with Kartar, the ghost of a Sikh soldier, and helps him in his mission. She is loyal, courageous, and compassionate, and stands by Gora and Kartar till the end. - The robbers: They are the antagonists of the story, and a gang of thieves who kill Kartar Singh and loot his belongings. They are cruel, greedy, and ruthless, and have no regard for human life or law. They also terrorize the villagers and extort money from them. One of them is Haru's father, who tries to hide his identity and past. They are eventually exposed and punished by Kartar Singh and the authorities. - Other minor characters: There are many other minor characters in the story who add to the plot and the theme. Some of them are: - Gora's family: His father is a poor Brahmin priest who struggles to make ends meet. His mother is a devout and caring woman who worries about Gora's safety and future. His sister is a shy and obedient girl who helps her mother in household chores. - Gora's friends: He has a few friends in his village who share his interests and hobbies. They often accompany him in his adventures and escapades. They also support him in his love affair with Shanti. - Gora's teachers: He has two teachers in his school who have different opinions about him. One is Bishu, a wicked and corrupt teacher who hates Gora and tries to harm him. The other is Ramu, a kind and honest teacher who likes Gora and encourages him. - The fake saint: He is a charlatan who pretends to be a holy man and performs fake miracles to deceive the villagers. He tries to exploit their superstitions and fears for his own benefit. He also tries to harm Kartar Singh when he exposes his fraudulence. Evaluation of the Style and Language
The style and language of the story are simple and colloquial, as Tagore uses everyday Bengali words and expressions to narrate the story. He also uses dialogue extensively to create realistic and lively conversations between the characters. He blends humor, horror, and sentiment in the story, making it appealing to readers of all ages and backgrounds.
He also uses description and symbolism to create vivid scenes and characters. For example, he describes Kartar Singh's ghost as "a tall figure with a turban on his head, a sword in his hand, a beard on his chin, and a smile on his face". He also uses symbols such as the book, the river, the light, etc., to convey deeper meanings and messages.
Conclusion
Kartar Bhoot by Rabindranath Tagore is a timeless and enjoyable ghost story that teaches us many lessons and values. It shows us that friendship transcends all barriers of caste, creed, religion, and death. It also shows us that good always triumphs over evil, and that justice is eventually served. It also reflects Tagore's views on nationalism, patriotism, and spirituality, as well as his criticism of superstition, violence, and oppression.
If you want to read this classic tale of friendship, courage, and justice between a boy and a ghost, you can access the PDF version of the story online by clicking here. You can also watch a video summary of the story here. You can also find more information about Rabindranath Tagore and his works here.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Kartar Bhoot by Rabindranath Tagore:
- When and where was Kartar Bhoot written and published?
- Kartar Bhoot was written by Rabindranath Tagore in 1915, when he was living in Shilaidaha, a rural estate in Bangladesh. It was first published in a magazine called Prabasi in 1916, and later included in a collection of stories called Golpo Guccho in 1934. - Is Kartar Bhoot based on a true story or a folk tale?
- Kartar Bhoot is not based on a true story or a folk tale, but it is inspired by Tagore's own experiences and imagination. He was fascinated by the stories of ghosts and spirits that he heard from his grandmother and other elders in his childhood. He also had a keen interest in the history and culture of Bengal, especially the Sikh community that lived there. - What are some other famous ghost stories by Rabindranath Tagore?
- Rabindranath Tagore wrote many other ghost stories besides Kartar Bhoot, such as Kshudhita Pashan (The Hungry Stones), Monihara (The Lost Jewels), Khudito Jibon (The Ruined Life), Nishithe (In the Night), etc. These stories are also known for their blend of humor, horror, and sentiment, and their exploration of human psychology, society, and spirituality. - Has Kartar Bhoot been adapted into any other media formats?
- Kartar Bhoot has been adapted into several other media formats, such as radio, television, film, and theatre. Some of the notable adaptations are: - A radio drama by All India Radio in 1956, directed by Birendra Nath Sircar and featuring Chhabi Biswas as Kartar Singh and Shyam Laha as Gora. - A television serial by Doordarshan in 1985, directed by Tapan Sinha and featuring Utpal Dutt as Kartar Singh and Anjan Dutt as Gora. - A film by Rituparno Ghosh in 2003, titled Shubho Mahurat (Auspicious Moment), which was a modern adaptation of the story with a female protagonist. - A theatre play by Bratya Basu in 2010, titled Kartar Bhoot: Ekti Natoker Kahini (Kartar Bhoot: A Story of a Play), which was a meta-theatrical adaptation of the story with a play-within-a-play structure. - Where can I find more information about Rabindranath Tagore and his works?
- You can find more information about Rabindranath Tagore and his works on various websites, books, and articles. Some of the recommended sources are: - The official website of Visva-Bharati University, founded by Tagore in Santiniketan, which has a section on Tagore's life and works. - The website of Rabindra Bharati University, named after Tagore and located in his ancestral home in Kolkata, which has a section on Tagore's literature and culture. - The website of Rabindra Rachanabali, which has the complete works of Tagore in Bengali and English translations. - The book Rabindranath Tagore: An Anthology, edited by Krishna Dutta and Andrew Robinson, which has a selection of Tagore's poems, stories, essays, letters, and speeches. 71b2f0854b