Introduction
This story is one of the best stories written by Rabindranath Tagore. I have read this story in the book ‘Greatest works of Rabindranath Tagore’ which has compiled many good stories.
Plot summary
The story is of Calcutta, one of the popular Indian cities. One of the popular, I stated as this city has offered too much in literature field. The narrator of the book is the author. He is a writer. The story encircles within a five year old girl, Mini and a Kabul based dry-fruit seller man, Kabuliwala.
Mini is a talkative girl. She loves talking all the time. She regularly asks her Babuji (narrator of this story) too much questions that arise in her innocent child mind. Everyday in her locality a Kabul based businessman named Rehmat visits to sell nuts and raisins. Since, he is from Kabul, the capital city of Afghanistan, he is referred as 'Kabuliwala'. Those days, it was common for some Afghani businesman to come to India for better business opportunities.
As Kabuliwala approaches near to little Mini's house, she calls him by referring 'Kabuliwala' but immediately she hides as he approaches. Initially, she feels shy but later she befriends him. She is a little chatterbox and Kabuliwala is a good listener to her. In between, he offers her few nuts as well. It continues for so many days. As time passes by the unusual friendship between a little Mini and gaint Kabuliwala draws the attention of her house maid. She complaints that to Mini's mother too. So, Mini's mother also talks about it with the writer. But the writer is not interested in it, he has seen the friendship and he doesnot find any threat on it.
One day Kabuliwala is falsely arrested for a murder case and he is sent to prison. He stays in prison for so many years for the case which was not done by him. Later he is released from jail. As soon as he comes out, he goes to Mini's house to meet his little friend. Now, Mini is no more a little girl, she has grown to an adult and today is her wedding. Kabuliwala wants to meet Mini but the writer hesitates for the meeting between Mini and Kabuliwala as he thinks in the wedding day it is quite unusual for a bride to a person who has been to jail for so many years. But Kabuliwala describes he has got a daughter like Mini back in Kabul. So, he tells her intention to meet. Inside Mini he has seen his daughter. Seeing this the writer allows Kabuliwala to meet Mini and calls her. But as a grown girl Mini doesnot recognize her. Later Kabuliwala returns to Kabul.
Writing style
The writer has beautifully portrayed the chatter character of Mini, personality of Kabuliwala and the beautiful friendship that they had. The story is so simple and it gets connected with the reader instantly.
My perception
I had this book since so many years but I hadnot read it. I used to think that the book may be of 'Cauliflower' seller as I misthought Kabuliwala as Cauliwala. After reading it, regreted for not reading prior. I found the story beautiful and heart wrenchin.
Movie based on this story
- The Bengali movie ‘Kabuliwala’ made by Tapan Sinha in the year 1957.
- The Hindi movie ‘Kabuliwala’ made by Hemin Gupta in the year 1961.
- The Bengali movie ‘Kabuliwala’ made by Kazi Hayat in the year 2006.
- The part ‘Kabuliwala’ from the Anuraag Basu made ‘Stories by Ravindranath Tagore’.
- The Hindi movie 'Bioscopewala' made by Deb Medhekar in the year 2018.
