They say that there’s always a woman behind a man’s success. If you’re wondering about the success of creative geniuses like poet and Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, then a play being performed this weekend could give you an insight into the writer’s relationship with his muse and sister-in-law, Kadambari. “Kadambari was married to Rabindranath’s elder brother Jyotirindranath  at the age of 11. With just a year’s age difference between the brother and sister-in-law, the two developed a strong bond over the years. For the longest time, she was his only reader, friend and confidante in a house full of more than 100 people,” says Feisal Alkazi, writer- director of the play.  

Titled A Quiet Desire, the English play explores this strong bond between the two which is not talked about openly in the country or the Bengali culture. “The fact that Kadambari committed suicide four months after Tagore’s marriage indicates the depth of their bond. Since it is a much suppressed story, the play is my interpretation of their bond,” adds the director about his first original play.

Presented by Ruchika Theatre Group, the play explores the more human, lesser known aspects of the creative genius who we all know as Tagore. “We are all so used to
seeing Tagore as this serious writer poet with a flowing beard, that at first it was difficult to imagine him as a young and suave 20-year-old,” says Armaan Alkazi, 20, who plays Tagore. “Most people know Tagore as a poet and artist but what do we know of him as a person?” asks Smita Mazumdar Rajaram, who plays the character of Kadambari.

“This could very well be the story of a lady living in Greater Kailash who might be married in an affluent family but can’t break free of social stereotypes,” says Alkazi.

Catch it live
What: A Quiet Desire — A play on Tagore and Kadambari
When: February 3
Where: Epicentre, Sector 44, Gurgaon

NEAREST METRO STATION: Huda City Centre on the Yellow Line