Review of Stories by Rabindranath Tagore

So as the show started, I saw the name directed by Anurag Basu. Hmmm, no where did I hear this name before? Oh yeah, he directed Barfi! Recently and before that made Life in...a metro, Murder and has some good films and my personal favourites under his collar such as Kites, Gangster and Saaya. So expectation from the show soared all of a sudden. The star cast of the first story starring Radhika Apte ain't bad either. So expectations are running high by now. Overall verdict? A beautiful show. Anytime watch, and never thought an Indian show could get to me so much and make me so engrossed. Absolutely loved it. So overall, the series is composed of many of Rabindranath Tagore's stories and Basu narrates them using his own style, with his own beautiful interpretations in the series, linking them in a catchy style. The stories (though not intended to be linked by Tagore), are linked to almost seem it's all a one blend of a story from India, particular Bengal in the 20s/30s Colonised India. While shot very arsthicaly and artfully, with very realistic acting by the talented actors, the amazing photography and the beautiful scenery, it's the emotions and the culture that this show exudes which make it unique. The show seems to carry a soul of its own. The show has a certain charm and character of its own, which seems to be generating from the culture it reflects. The complexities of arranged marriage, the feeling of being in love and being stuck, the family situations in those times all make sense and very new and original to watch. The show stresses on gender equality and presents females taking a strong role in the society. It is very impressive to see Tagore, in those days, would write about such taboo topics, some of which are still considered Taboo in the current Indian society. One of the most talked about feature, and well worth the praise, is the music and the songs of the T. V. Series. The songs are better than many of the current Bollywood song lyrics, with these songs representing the actual emotions as expressed by the characters, sung beautifully by some A-List singers and with a catchy and beautiful music to it. The background score of the entire show is especially catchy and keeps the audience craving for more and more. The acting by the many talented actors is beautiful. The kids in Atithi and how well they have converted their emotions is truly amazing to witness. One can easily get lost in the stories, believing them to happening in real while watching the show. The locations and scenery Basu has chosen covers almost the entirety of Bengal, making it look so much more beautiful and mesmerising than it actually might be. And the show not just limits itself to the Zamindars or the Calcutta scenery, but extends on to Bengal Hill-stations up north, small mud houses, march villages. Some of my remembered and favourite stories from this show will be (in no order of preference) Chokher Bail, Atithi, Maan Bhajan Girbala, Kabuliwala (beautifully portrayed), Punishment, Sampati, Chhooti, Mrinal Ki Chitthi. Although every story presented is unique on its own way touching upon the many shades of grey that life is in their own way. The diversity of the shows shines through it's episodes, covering the different moods, from light to tender, from rich to poor, from the happy to the miserable. Overall a great show and definitely a must watch for all.