Description
What Light Touched My Eyes
Rabindranath Tagore’s dance drama Chitrangada is an immortal creation. Chitrangada is not just a historical character, she is a symbol of modern empowerment and her journey from profound self-reflections and self-doubts to self-empowerment beautifully embracing her authentic self is inspiring at all times. This literary endeavour has two parts-
1.Reflecting on various aspects of Chitrangada, how her personal struggles are our universal struggles, how beautiful and powerful are her revolutions in moderation with the societal implications…….Tagore’s thoughts, Indian and western influences with respect to his music,rhythm, his conceived modern mood dance genre Rabindranritya ,use of monologues in crafting Chitrangada.
2. Developing a story where the heroine feels her journey resonates with that of Chitrangada-this story has come from my personal experiences, imagination and feelings. The previous reflections and research on Tagore’s works will help in understanding.
About the Author
The author is a teacher, dreamer and artist with varied interests and penchant for experimentation.
The author‘s writings have featured in newspapers, namely the Letters to the Editor and t2 section of the Telegraph. She has written poems and short stories. She has been awarded twice in national level competitions and contests for short story writing. She has published 3 books with Zorba Books –Her first book was Mysterious Romance: A Story of magical UnspokenLove. Her second book “Dreams to Lead: Story of a Blossoming Queen ” won the Book Publishing and Sales Award from Zorba books for being in top 5 in the Zorba Books ‘Book Writing Contest’ in January 2024. Her third book- In the Quest of Love: Encore was her first attempt to write a historical romantic fiction and a story of reincarnation. The cover picture is a painting by the author. The author writes spontaneously when she gets the urge. She wishes to further experiment with writing. This book `What Light Touched My Eyes’ is yet another offering.
authorseemagarg –
The book beautifully weaves scholarly reflection with personal storytelling, creating a tapestry that is both rooted in classical literature and deeply contemporary in spirit.
The first part of the book functions as an insightful commentary on Chitrangada—not merely as a dance drama but as a profound symbol of inner strength, transformation, and female empowerment. The author delves into the multiple layers of the protagonist’s psyche, highlighting how her doubts, introspections, and eventual embrace of her authentic self mirror the universal struggles many women face today. This analysis is not superficial—it draws from Tagore’s own philosophies, explores the influence of Indian classical arts and Western modernity, and examines how Tagore blended music, rhythm, and theatre into his own unique genre, Rabindranritya. The discussion on Tagore’s use of monologues, dramatic structuring, and choreographic innovation is especially enlightening.
The second part shifts from Nayana’s journey is one of transformation—from uncertainty to empowered authenticity—mirrored in her evolving relationship with her husband Nilanjan, which navigates tension, healing, and rediscovery.
At the heart of this emotional landscape is their daughter, Bubku—a symbol of innocence, hope, and silent strength. Bubku’s presence anchors Nayana, reminding her of the legacy she’s shaping through her choices and courage. This is a story of identity, love, and the quiet revolutions that shape a woman’s world.
The use of Rabindranath Tagore’s iconic songs “Bodhu Kon Alo Laglo Chokhe” and “De Tora Amaye Notun Kore De Notun Abhorone” in book adds a deeply emotional and symbolic dimension to the narrative. These compositions are not merely musical backdrops—they are lyrical mirrors reflecting the psychological and spiritual transformation of the characters, especially the resonance with Chitrangada’s inner awakening.
I loved how the book seamlessly blends Nayana’s contemporary struggles with the timeless essence of Chitrangada. The introspective monologues, lyrical prose, and the emotional depth of her journey make the reading experience intimate and inspiring.
I also appreciated the portrayal of relationships—especially the nuanced dynamics between Nayana and Nilanjan, and the tender, grounding presence of Bubku. Most of all, I admire how the book celebrates self-empowerment, showing that embracing one’s true self is the most powerful act of all.
It is a must-read for lovers of Tagore, students of dance and literature, and anyone navigating the path toward self-empowerment.