তবু মনে রেখো যদি দূরে যাই চলে।
যদি পুরাতন প্রেম ঢাকা পরে যায়
নবপ্রেমজালে।
যদি থাকি কাছাকাছি ,
দেখিতে না পাও ছায়ার মতো আছি না
আছি –
তবু মনে রেখো।
Rabindranath Tagore’s first love, Annapurna Anna Turkhad, played a pivotal role in shaping the poet laureate’s literary legacy. Their brief yet profound encounter in 1878 left an indelible mark on Tagore’s work, imbuing it with intense romantic longing.
During his two-month stay with the Turkhad family in Bombay, Tagore was tutored by Anna, who introduced him to English literature and etiquette. As Tagore recalled, “She didn’t look down on him for what he called his own lack of scholarship.” Instead, they became close, and Tagore wrote love poems in Bengali, addressing her as “Nalini,” meaning “lotus.”
Anna, too, was smitten, writing, “Poet, I think that even if I were on my death-bed, your songs would call me back to life.” Their love was strong, but societal obligations and family duties intervened. Dr. Pandurang proposed their marriage, which Tagore’s father declined.
Tagore’s poetry reflects his yearning for Anna. In one poem, he writes, “Hear, Nalini! Open your eyes! Are you still asleep? / Behold, by your door, beloved, has arrived your sun.” The use of “Rabi” as a synonym for sun underscores their connection.
Their separation had a lasting impact on Tagore’s writing. In “Shesher Kobita” and “Nouka-Dubi,” almost-lovers are torn apart by societal expectations. Tagore’s songs also echo this longing, as in “Tobu Money Rekho”: “Remember me, even if I stray far, far away… Still, remember me.”
Anna’s legacy lives on through Tagore’s work, a testament to the power of first love. Despite her early death at 33, Anna’s memory continues to inspire, and her story serves as a reminder of the profound impact of fleeting yet intense connections.
In conclusion, Rabindranath Tagore’s first love, Annapurna “Anna” Turkhad, significantly influenced his literary legacy, shaping his poetry and songs with themes of longing and yearning. Their story remains a poignant reminder of the enduring power of love in literature.