What do you think?
Rate this book
Kabuliwala
"Kabuliwala" – a poignant and widely-acclaimed story by the Nobel Prize-winning Bengali master, now out in a brilliant new translation.
Set in Kolkata at the turn of the 20th century, "Kabuliwala" tells of the improbable friendship between a well-to-do young girl, Mini, and a traveling dried fruit seller. When the Kabuliwala returns years later after a forced absence, the encounter leaves both parties transformed.
"Tagore’s short tale, written nearly a hundred ago, remains undiminished by the passage of time. The adventure it relates—however sad and struck by misfortune it may be, and though it almost fell into oblivion—is as relevant today as it was then. Nothing has changed."
-From the foreword by Jean-Claude Carrière, award-winning screenwriter
Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941) was the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, in 1913. He is considered to be one of the most important literary figures of the 20th century.
Set in Kolkata at the turn of the 20th century, "Kabuliwala" tells of the improbable friendship between a well-to-do young girl, Mini, and a traveling dried fruit seller. When the Kabuliwala returns years later after a forced absence, the encounter leaves both parties transformed.
"Tagore’s short tale, written nearly a hundred ago, remains undiminished by the passage of time. The adventure it relates—however sad and struck by misfortune it may be, and though it almost fell into oblivion—is as relevant today as it was then. Nothing has changed."
-From the foreword by Jean-Claude Carrière, award-winning screenwriter
Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941) was the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, in 1913. He is considered to be one of the most important literary figures of the 20th century.
45 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1892
About the author
Rabindranath Tagore
2,638 books4,051 followersAwarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 "because of his profoundly sensitive, fresh and beautiful verse, by which, with consummate skill, he has made his poetic thought, expressed in his own English words, a part of the literature of the West."
Tagore modernised Bengali art by spurning rigid classical forms and resisting linguistic strictures. His novels, stories, songs, dance-dramas, and essays spoke to topics political and personal. Gitanjali (Song Offerings), Gora (Fair-Faced), and Ghare-Baire (The Home and the World) are his best-known works, and his verse, short stories, and novels were acclaimed—or panned—for their lyricism, colloquialism, naturalism, and unnatural contemplation. His compositions were chosen by two nations as national anthems: India's Jana Gana Mana and Bangladesh's Amar Shonar Bangla.
The complete works of Rabindranath Tagore (রবীন্দ্র রচনাবলী) in the original Bengali are now available at these third-party websites:
http://www.tagoreweb.in/
http://www.rabindra-rachanabali.nltr....
Tagore modernised Bengali art by spurning rigid classical forms and resisting linguistic strictures. His novels, stories, songs, dance-dramas, and essays spoke to topics political and personal. Gitanjali (Song Offerings), Gora (Fair-Faced), and Ghare-Baire (The Home and the World) are his best-known works, and his verse, short stories, and novels were acclaimed—or panned—for their lyricism, colloquialism, naturalism, and unnatural contemplation. His compositions were chosen by two nations as national anthems: India's Jana Gana Mana and Bangladesh's Amar Shonar Bangla.
The complete works of Rabindranath Tagore (রবীন্দ্র রচনাবলী) in the original Bengali are now available at these third-party websites:
http://www.tagoreweb.in/
http://www.rabindra-rachanabali.nltr....
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews
August 21, 2022
This story written by Rabindranath Tagore shows us that friendship is a bond that transcends all barriers. This is the story of a beautiful friendship between a young girl called Mini from a wealthy family and a traveling dried fruit seller. The unfortunate events that Kabuliwala had to face in life and his feelings when he came back to meet Mini after many years will all touch our hearts.
October 25, 2022
Rabindranath Tagore was a Bengali writer, playwright, composer, philosopher, social reformer and painter. he reformed Indian arts and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913. He was a very important person so I feel a bit puzzled why I was not impressed by this story. I read it two weeks ago and I almost forgot its plot. I had to check Goodreads to remember what it was about: "Set in Kolkata at the turn of the 20th century, "Kabuliwala" tells of the improbable friendship between a well-to-do young girl, Mini, and a traveling dried fruit seller. When the Kabuliwala returns years later after a forced absence, the encounter leaves both parties transformed." I remember liking the atmosphere and thinking that the friendship was quite a big deal due to the clear caste segregation in place in India. No matter who you are and where come from love and friendship is the same.
Included in Found In Translation anthology which I read one story/week.
Included in Found In Translation anthology which I read one story/week.
November 26, 2017
A poster of the film "Kabuliwala" (1961).
MY elder brother had shown me the film "Kabuliwala" in the early '60s at the Minerva Cinema in Calcutta when we were both schoolboys. I remembered little of the black & white film except that it showed the friendship between an Afghan man from Kabul and a Bengali girl. Much later I came to know that it starred Balraj Sanhi, one of the best actors of Indian cinema, as Kabuliwala. Around the same time I also came to know that the short story was written by none other than Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941) who was the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913. He is considered to be one of the most important literary figures of the 20th century.
A book-cover design for "Kabuliwala".
Finally, after all these decades, I was able to read the widely-acclaimed short story which has been beautifully translated by Mohammad A. Quayum.
The story deals with the friendship between a five-year-old girl called Mini, who belongs to an aristocratic family of Calcutta, and an Afghan peddler of dry fruits from Kabul. His actual name is Rahmat but the girl calls him "Kabuliwala". However, at first she is scared of him because she has heard rumours that he carries kidnapped children in his sack which he carries hanged over his shoulder.
The girl's father who is a writer of novels is the narrator of the story. He tells us that Mini is extremely talkative and is quite friendly with all the male servants some of whom tell her tall stories. It is he who first introduces his daughter to Kabuliwala. At first she is scared of meeting him. However, soon she overcomes her fears as Kabuliwala comes to see her everyday. They joke about beating in-laws. Mini finds this to be very funny and just can't stop laughing.
A book cover for a new edition of "Kabuliwala".
"I learnt that this was not her second meeting with the Kabuliwala. He had been visiting Mini almost daily, and by offering her pistachio nuts he had already won a large part of the girl’s childish heart.
The two friends had a few stock phrases and jokes which were repeated in their conversations. For example, the moment she saw Rahmat, my daughter would ask with a hearty laugh, ‘Kabuliwala, O Kabuliwala, what is in your sack?’
Adding an unnecessary nasal tone to the word, Rahamat would roar, ‘Hanti.’
The essence of the joke was that the man had an elephant in his sack. Not that the joke was very witty, but it caused the two friends to double up in laughter, and the sight of that innocent joy between a little girl and a grown man on autumn mornings used to move me deeply."
Mini's father chats with Kabuliwala (played by Balraj Sahni) while the girl listens attentively.
One day Kabuliwala is sent behind bars for eight years for injuring a man with a dagger. The day he is released from jail, Mini is about to get married. She has changed through all these years as she is only friendly with girls now who are about her own age. Rahmat tells Mini's father that he wants to see her. When Mini is called, Kabuliwala is surprised to see how much she has grown. He is immediately reminded of his own daughter back in Kabul who is around the same age as Mini. He is deeply saddened as soon as he remembers her and how much he has missed her all these years.
While music is being played for Mini's wedding, Kabuliwala slouches on the floor remembering the land of his birth and his daughter.
Today I watched the film again after five-and-a-half decades and I loved it immensely. I cried in the middle of the film and then bitterly towards the end of the film because of its melancholic denouement and Balraj Sahni's superlative acting. I am glad I watched it as if I had not then I would truly be missing something!
I am providing you the link so that you can watch it too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUbA7...
A black-ink sketch of Rabindranath Tagore.
August 19, 2022
One of my goals for this year is to read as many works by Asian authors. I have never read Rabindranath Tagore’s writing before. He is the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. Rabindranath Tagore’s short stories are a perfect depiction of Indian society, set in the time of British rule.
Kabuliwala or the man from Kabul is the story of Abdur Rahman, the seller of seasonal goods from Kabul. Abdur Rahman’s longing for his family, especially his daughter is central to the story. He is poor, hence away from his loved ones unlike the rich narrator of the story living in Calcutta.
The story begins with the details on Mini, the talkative five-year-old daughter of the narrator. The father relishes Mini’s incessant barrage of questions and queries amidst writing his novel while the mother is often vexed with her little girl. Mini reminds Kabuliwala of his daughter. He brings small treats for Mini and soon the two develop a strong bond of affection. Since this is a short story, I don’t want to go into detail.
Kabuliwala is all about the love fathers have for their daughters. And, the heartbreaking moment of seeing them grow up and leave parental home after marriage. You get a peek into Tagore’s favourite thematic subjects of fatherly affection and partings. .
Kabuliwala or the man from Kabul is the story of Abdur Rahman, the seller of seasonal goods from Kabul. Abdur Rahman’s longing for his family, especially his daughter is central to the story. He is poor, hence away from his loved ones unlike the rich narrator of the story living in Calcutta.
The story begins with the details on Mini, the talkative five-year-old daughter of the narrator. The father relishes Mini’s incessant barrage of questions and queries amidst writing his novel while the mother is often vexed with her little girl. Mini reminds Kabuliwala of his daughter. He brings small treats for Mini and soon the two develop a strong bond of affection. Since this is a short story, I don’t want to go into detail.
Kabuliwala is all about the love fathers have for their daughters. And, the heartbreaking moment of seeing them grow up and leave parental home after marriage. You get a peek into Tagore’s favourite thematic subjects of fatherly affection and partings. .
February 11, 2024
Since Indian classic are close to my heart, I decided to do review one of the masterpiece of Rabindranath Tagore's 'Kabuliwala'. I have read this story at least 5 times and every time it delights me and touches my heart.
Kabuliwala is a gratifying and happy ending story of heartening relationship between a little Bengali girl Minnie and an Afghan moneylender, Rahamat. The story beautifully ties a bond of mutual affection and the unconventional relationship between the two. The story realises that humans, no matter what their nationality or background, are all the same, as symbolised by filial affection- the deep love that every father have for their children
One of the best thing I learn from this story is that if people can love without thinking about the age, then friendship... or actually any relationship can also be made with people of any age. Age doesn't matters in friendship it's just a connection of emotions.
I loved it and would like to recommend it to you cuz I know you won't regret. It would definitely touch you heart as well. Give it a try 😀
Kabuliwala is a gratifying and happy ending story of heartening relationship between a little Bengali girl Minnie and an Afghan moneylender, Rahamat. The story beautifully ties a bond of mutual affection and the unconventional relationship between the two. The story realises that humans, no matter what their nationality or background, are all the same, as symbolised by filial affection- the deep love that every father have for their children
One of the best thing I learn from this story is that if people can love without thinking about the age, then friendship... or actually any relationship can also be made with people of any age. Age doesn't matters in friendship it's just a connection of emotions.
I loved it and would like to recommend it to you cuz I know you won't regret. It would definitely touch you heart as well. Give it a try 😀
November 12, 2020
A five year-old child befriends a money-lender from the nearby mountains of another country, and we experience the transcendence of age, class and nation. The writing is gorgeous. I quickly got to know the father, the mother, the young girl Mini and her friend Rahamat, and it seemed an entire novel was packed into these few pages. I cannot wait to read more by the author of this heartwarming and absolutely perfect story.
October 1, 2023
আমার পছন্দের একটা গল্প। একাধিকবার পড়া হলেও সবসময় ভালো লাগে।
April 25, 2018
The story is of a Pashtun merchant from Kabul, who comes to Calcutta, India each year for selling dry-fruits and while living in India he becomes friends with a five-year-old girl Mini as she reminds him of his daughter who lives in Kabul.
There is also a black and white movie on Kabuliwala.
Here is the link.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUbA7...
There is also a black and white movie on Kabuliwala.
Here is the link.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUbA7...
April 13, 2021
It’s a very touching story of a faraway businessman who carries hand imprints of his daughter close to his heart and many years later realises the passage of time and loss of his daughter’s childhood.
The book was wonderful and had a nice story that will catch the heart of the readers.
The book was wonderful and had a nice story that will catch the heart of the readers.
April 9, 2017
Loved it. Beautifully heartwarming and absolutely enchanting! <3
July 16, 2015
It’s so easy to know you are in love yet so difficult to explain. A plethora of mixed emotions run through your heart and mind, inexplicable ones. It makes you restless, your heart skips at times like a watchful timid deer, at times an invisible needle pricks it causing a sweet pain, a pain you want to elude from but somehow enjoy it, when day dreaming is not an option but inadvertently becomes a need, a time when what you think and what you say are poles apart. You attempt to read a book but you don’t read anything for hours, the clouds have got a new meaning, the sky is suddenly blue and oh, the flowers are so lovely. I have a dried leaf in my hands and I turn it, look at it and then at the sky; I have it in my hands for hours as I sit there lost in my thoughts beside the river and eventually throw it away.
And ‘love’ is just one of the multitudes of emotions. To be able to penetrate through a person’s thoughts and feelings and relive their emotions and to be able to decorate them in words is the mark of a genius and that’s what Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore’s short stories tells us about him. Set in the rustic Kolkata villages, every story oozes with the innocence of that era, long gone, and the characters are only haunted by the silhouettes of their emotions. So be it the puzzled ghost of the widow Kadimbini in ‘The Living and the dead’, the virtuous wife in ‘The gift of sight’ or the innocent Ratan vying for the attention of the unruffled postmaster in ‘The Postmaster’ or be it the anguish of poor Ramcharan to spend his entire life raising his thankless son like a rich boy, only to hand him over to his master in ‘Little master’s return’; the upsurge of emotions are felt, the suffering is felt, the motherly love caresses the heart, the distress weakens, the longing breathes through the soul in the stories. The ‘Kabulliwallah’s’ endurance to the coldness of his little friend is heart warming.
Most of Rabindranath Tagore’s characters have been women, and though oppressed in one form or another, they are strong women replete with sentimentality and often a marked sensuousness. Tagore’s writings dive deep into the oceans of their spirited emotions and whether the pearl is found or not, the discoveries along the journey are a treasure of their own.
Though I generally avoid translated books, I really liked the short stories. Having been in Mumbai since my childhood, it’s a pity that I can’t read and write in Bengali, which happens to be my mother tongue and the original language of Tagore’s writings. I am sure, in Bengali, the stories would be a greater delight to read.
And ‘love’ is just one of the multitudes of emotions. To be able to penetrate through a person’s thoughts and feelings and relive their emotions and to be able to decorate them in words is the mark of a genius and that’s what Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore’s short stories tells us about him. Set in the rustic Kolkata villages, every story oozes with the innocence of that era, long gone, and the characters are only haunted by the silhouettes of their emotions. So be it the puzzled ghost of the widow Kadimbini in ‘The Living and the dead’, the virtuous wife in ‘The gift of sight’ or the innocent Ratan vying for the attention of the unruffled postmaster in ‘The Postmaster’ or be it the anguish of poor Ramcharan to spend his entire life raising his thankless son like a rich boy, only to hand him over to his master in ‘Little master’s return’; the upsurge of emotions are felt, the suffering is felt, the motherly love caresses the heart, the distress weakens, the longing breathes through the soul in the stories. The ‘Kabulliwallah’s’ endurance to the coldness of his little friend is heart warming.
Most of Rabindranath Tagore’s characters have been women, and though oppressed in one form or another, they are strong women replete with sentimentality and often a marked sensuousness. Tagore’s writings dive deep into the oceans of their spirited emotions and whether the pearl is found or not, the discoveries along the journey are a treasure of their own.
Though I generally avoid translated books, I really liked the short stories. Having been in Mumbai since my childhood, it’s a pity that I can’t read and write in Bengali, which happens to be my mother tongue and the original language of Tagore’s writings. I am sure, in Bengali, the stories would be a greater delight to read.
October 2, 2020
কিছু গল্প কোনদিন পুরনো হয়না। যখন যে বয়সেই পড়া হোক প্রতিবার নতুন করে পড়ার অনুভূতি পাওয়া যায়।
August 3, 2016
This is a great short story. I love anything that tells a story of a father and daughter. I felt sad for the Kabuliwala, for people think bad of him. Even if he has done something wrong, I think he is one great father to his child. I love how he and Mini has become friends which I think solely reminds him of his own daughter. The stories and laughter they shared was heart warming.
Years may have passed some not good things happen to him but still he didn't forget about the little one. The end kind of made me sad, I would love for him to return and find his daughter and made new memories with her.
The story was short and sad, you will feel how deep a father's love for his daughter and on how he wishes to see his daughter but was stuck to some other father's child and make memories with her in replacement of his own daughter. I also wish the story was long enough for me to know the story of him and his return to his own daughter.
Years may have passed some not good things happen to him but still he didn't forget about the little one. The end kind of made me sad, I would love for him to return and find his daughter and made new memories with her.
The story was short and sad, you will feel how deep a father's love for his daughter and on how he wishes to see his daughter but was stuck to some other father's child and make memories with her in replacement of his own daughter. I also wish the story was long enough for me to know the story of him and his return to his own daughter.
May 22, 2016
This was so beautifully worded. I was a little surprised when I saw the story was so short.
I didn't realize it was a short story until I downloaded it.
It really touched my heart and made me feel very happy.
I actually postponed watching the movie when my Mother asked me to because it goes against one of my rules as a reader.
'Always read the book first. Always.'
Well, now that I've read it, I think I'll go watch the movie now.
I didn't realize it was a short story until I downloaded it.
It really touched my heart and made me feel very happy.
I actually postponed watching the movie when my Mother asked me to because it goes against one of my rules as a reader.
'Always read the book first. Always.'
Well, now that I've read it, I think I'll go watch the movie now.
December 11, 2015
the stories collection by the greatest literary person is so far one of the best reads for me.
The stories are just more insightful than anything else.
All stories tell you something, take you to the depth and bring out the required moral that need to be told in a friendly and firm way.
The short stories collection, however, makes you think more and more as they're so short and sweet that you expect more and more.
These stories are the reason why the author was awarded Nobel Prize. No doubt, his writing skills and an ability to connect with readers is just awesome.
For more exciting reviews follow
BookRature
The stories are just more insightful than anything else.
All stories tell you something, take you to the depth and bring out the required moral that need to be told in a friendly and firm way.
The short stories collection, however, makes you think more and more as they're so short and sweet that you expect more and more.
These stories are the reason why the author was awarded Nobel Prize. No doubt, his writing skills and an ability to connect with readers is just awesome.
For more exciting reviews follow
BookRature
September 4, 2016
What can I say about Rabindaranath Tagore? I implore Mr. Tagore for not having the best words for his story. The story was brief,simple and fascinating. The innocence of story is remarkable. After reading I can say that every person is like Kabuliwala finding a part of himself(dream,love etc) in others. Hence we all are connected.
August 28, 2020
Such a simple, but sweet story. The writing is very pleasant, I think I’ll have to read some more Tagore.
July 28, 2024
Tears. Tears. And only tears.
March 23, 2021
My first Tagore! About time, I'll say.
This was such a soulful tale. Simple and powerful with its emotion and story telling prowess.
Detailed review coming soon.
This was such a soulful tale. Simple and powerful with its emotion and story telling prowess.
Detailed review coming soon.
May 29, 2017
A heart-wrenching story about a little girl whose talkativeness annoys her mother and (sometimes) her father, but wholly accepted by a poor fruit seller (aka the Cabuliwallah). Definitely worth the read.
July 8, 2020
প্রকৃতি নিজ হাতে মনে হয় মমতার সম্পর্ক বেধে দেয় নইলে কি আর বয়স্ক কাবুলিওয়ালার সাথে ৫ বছরের ছোট্ট মিনির বন্ধুত্ব গড়ে ওঠে! মিনির বকবকানি আর অজস্র প্রশ্নের মনোযোগী শ্রোতা হয়ে ওঠে কাবুলিওয়ালা রহমত। রো��� এসে দেখে যায় মেয়েটিকে, হাসি ঠাট্টায় মেতে ওঠে অবাক হয়ে এই দুই হাস্যরসে মত্য প্রাণীকে দেখে মিনির বাবা।সময় গড়ায় আপন গতিতে।
ছোটগল্প গুলো এমনি। হঠাৎ করে শুরু হয়ে হঠাৎ করেই শেষ হয়ে যায় , মাঝে রেখে যায় বিস্তৃত গল্প।
ছোটগল্প গুলো এমনি। হঠাৎ করে শুরু হয়ে হঠাৎ করেই শেষ হয়ে যায় , মাঝে রেখে যায় বিস্তৃত গল্প।
Read
September 3, 2013One of my earliest reads and a famous Tagore story. I tell you story-telling is an ancient Indian art dating back to Panchatantra of 3000 BC. ANd in the modern era, it is the Bengali authors who have carried forward that tradition. A deeply moving story.
March 6, 2012
this is one of the best short story i have ever read .... states a father's true love :)
August 17, 2015
There can be no substitute for the joy one derives from childhood memories.... Wish I get those days back :)
August 13, 2020
Beautiful.
August 9, 2023
এই গল্পটা একটা পিওর আবেগ
March 31, 2022
i don't like books about emotional and loving dads who miss their daughters.
February 17, 2014
I Liked the story. it was pretty fascinating. i could somehow relate it with my childhood experiences.i admire the father child relation depicted and also the friendship between the 'kabuliwala' and mini.
just like the typical indian mothers, mini's mother is also over protective for her daughter and asks her husband to be cautious as well.
the ending to story is also pretty well. the girl is grown up with same cultures as other girls and has same morals.
just like the typical indian mothers, mini's mother is also over protective for her daughter and asks her husband to be cautious as well.
the ending to story is also pretty well. the girl is grown up with same cultures as other girls and has same morals.
April 28, 2019
Heart wrenching short story.
September 6, 2020
শৈশবে পাঠ্যপুস্তকে পড়া এই গল্পটি তখন তেমন নাড়া দেয়নি(তখন গল্প পড়ে প্রশ্নের উত্তর বের করে পরীক্ষায় ভালো নম্বরের নেশায় ছিলাম কিনা)। কিন্তু এখন এই বইটি সত্যিই হৃদয়কে নাড়া দিয়ে গেল। সময়ের সাথে অনুভূতিগুলোও দ্রুত পাল্টে যায়। 😔
Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews