Veteran actress Sharmila Tagore has shared her insights on her taste in adult literature, shedding light on her literary journey.
A Lifelong Passion for Reading
In an interview with Prasar Bharati, Sharmila fondly recounted her love for reading, which began at a young age. She revealed her affinity for adult books and classic literature, highlighting how these choices influenced her curiosity and intellectual development.
A Humorous School Incident
Sharmila reminisced about an amusing incident from her school days when she was “hauled up” for cheating. The teacher had assigned the students to write a modern poem, and Sharmila chose to copy one from a collection titled Adhunik Kavita Sankalan. When confronted, she owned up to her actions but defended herself by saying it was a famous poem by Rabindranath Tagore, arguing that everyone recognized it, which she believed demonstrated her good taste.
Her Literary Interests
Reflecting on her literary pursuits, Sharmila Tagore mentioned, “I was very fond of reading and I think I read a lot of adult books. I remember being hauled up in school for cheating because they had asked us to write, you know, modern poetry. So, I went home and found this Adhunik Kovita Shankolon, meaning a collection of modern poems.”
She continued, “So, I copied something from there and went to school. The teacher asked if I had written it, and I said yes. She gave me plenty of chances to confess, and I admitted I had copied it but insisted it was such a famous poem of Tagore that everyone knew it. So, I told the teacher, ‘Why are you penalizing me for God’s sake? At least I copied Tagore.’”
Sharmila added that at a young age, she was already reading works by literary giants like Tagore, Bumke, and Sarat Chandra, delving into the classics of Bengal while also exploring other genres.
A Legacy of Excellence
For those unfamiliar, Sharmila Tagore comes from a distinguished Bengali family and is a distant relative of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. She made her acting debut in Bengali cinema with Satyajit Ray’s Apur Sansar in 1959. Although she was born in Hyderabad, her father hailed from an aristocratic Bengali family, reflecting the rich artistic and intellectual heritage of Bengal.