TAGORE’S GORA

Calutta.

Late 19th century.

The intellectual class is riding high on the sails of reform. The Brahmo Samaj, started by Raja Rammohan Roy as a reaction to Orthodox Hinduism, is gaining popularity. The ritual-bound Hindu culture and that informed by the West are in conflict. It is in this social climate that Tagore’s fifth and longest novel, Gora is set.

Gora is a story of two friends and their interactions with a Brahmo family. It is a story that discovers India through the eyes of Brahmins and Brahmos, rich and poor, city dwellers and villagers, lovers and fighters.

Gora, or Gourmohan is a man who believes that the only way to save India from the oppressive rule of the British is to observe strict Hindu traditions. Maintaining caste observances according to him, is key to India’s survival in the face of foreign domination. In tradition, Gora sees the common man and his ardent faith, the truth and the identity of the motherland.

His closest friend Binoy, shares his beliefs for the most part. Binoy, unlike Gora, is less vocal about his opinions, and is rather more open to correspondence with those whose truths are not identical to his.

Binoy’s friendship with the family of Paresh Babu, a Brahmo preacher, upsets Gora at first. Binoy is especially lax about his observances in their presence and Gora does not wish that his best friend be branded a Brahmo. However, with time, Gora warms to the idea of keeping correspondence with the family, seeing the kindness and gentle nature of Paresh Babu.

Paresh Babu is a man who commands, through his gentleness and broad-mindedness, a great respect. His eldest daughters, Sucharita and Lolita are, in this book, strong independent women, who are not shy of challenging their own opinions and those of others.

The women in Tagore’s novel are all, in their own ways, ahead of their times. Lolita is probably the most obviously rebellious and outspoken about her beliefs. Her stubbornness and fearlessness when it comes to doing what she feels is right is far more than what even the most progressive people of the Samaj could accept. Sucharita is far more quiet, suffering insult and humiliation but continuing to do what she believes is correct. When her own step-mother disowns her, she remains brave. She is not fearful of questioning the beliefs she was inducted into. Gora’s mother Anondomoyi, is, much like Paresh Babu, in the sense that, among all the confusion and conflict, she stays her ground. Her belief in her truth is unshakeable. Her love for Gora and Binoy is endless and her conviction in their goodness is immovable. She remains strong through all the trials and tribulations faced by Gora.

Throughout this story, Gora and Binoy confront dualities that make them challenge their beliefs. When Gora sees the cruel nature caste takes outside his own city, he fights as vehemently against it, as he would fight for it within the city. Gora finds a grand design in failure outside his protected bubble. Binoy too, has to fight his internal battles. His illicit love, his true belief versus what he professes and his relationship with Gora, of which the true nature is under question, plagues an otherwise jovial character. In this story, the Brahmin questions his scriptures, for they do not allow room for compassion, and the Brahmo questions the Western ideal, for it has no respect for India.

“Gora” searches for the Truth within the motherland. Tagore often speaks through Gora when he touches upon the role of women in the keeping alive of a nation. He sees that with the Woman of India hiding behind curtains, India is only a half-truth. Tagore challenges the reader to sympathise and even admire those who would be seen as bigoted and casteist. Tagore shows through a character such as Gora, a violence of belief, but also a kindness and true compassion for the motherland. Gora is a patriot outside his city, and a nationalist within his city. Gora is both the fanatic and the tolerant. He is both lover and fighter. Gora, is a man, within whom, somewhat ironically considering his own birth, India is revealed.

In 2018, Tagore’s message could not be more pertinent. A country, more than 70 years into its formal existence, still finds itself searching for the truth. A truth that is shrouded in violence and saffron. A truth heard so clearly by Tagore now is muffled behind the chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”. India must now search as Gora did. India must question its beliefs like Gora did. It is time for India to find it’s true meaning.