CELEBRATING TAGORE, OCAMPO’S PLATONIC LOVE

Known documentary film maker of the country, Suraj Kumar, a bachelor, never thought he would be swept over by the sublime and platonic relationship between iconic poet Rabindranath Tagore and Argentinian litterateur Victoria Ocampo. Though Tagore and Ocampo met only twice during their lifetime, Victoria loved and worshiped the author of ‘Gitanjali’. “The story between the two needs to be told today to the younger generation simply because it is the most sacred relationship there could ever be between a man and a woman” feels Suraj Kumar who has co-produced the film ‘Thinking of Him’.

Directed by Argentine filmmaker Pablo Cesar, the film delves deep into the chance encounter and relationship between Tagore and Ocampo. “Victoria had relationships with men of high intellectual caliber, physicists, scientists and philosophers . From Jorge Luis Borges to Albert Camus and Octavio Paz, all were more than acquaintances to her. However, Tagore occupied a special place in Victoria’s heart”, says Suraj who passed out from Indian Institute of Mass Communication.

The film, which will hit silver screens worldwide, is now in post-production stage. Celebrated actor Victor Banerjee who grew up in Kolkata idolising Tagore, is playing the role of the immortal poet. “It’s interesting to enter Argentinian’s mind and see what they thought of his poetry and how they interpreted it.” says Victor. Argentinian actress Elonora Wexler plays Victoria’s role in the film.

“The storyline swings between the past and the present to attract a contemporary audience. Argentine professor Felix, a huge fan of Tagore, visits India to know more about him, Shantiniketan and spirituality. He meets Kamali (Raima Sen) in Shantiniketan.”

Producer Suraj Kumar took up the project the moment his friend, Indian Ambassador Amarendra Khatua, himself a poet, facilitated the Argentinian project, 60 per cent of which was being paid by the Film Corporation there. Although Kumar did not get the remaining 40 per cent funds, but put his heart and soul into the film by selling his assets.

From NFDC to various Ministries, Suraj had tried his best to get funds for the project during the starting of the film. He only got refusal letters. “That did not deter me .” Says Suraj with a grim on his face sitting in the basement of his studio at Malaviya Nagar in New Delhi. “In fact, you will find many films on Gandhi but not one on Tagore. In the regional space, there are films made on Tagore’s works and women but not him. “This film begins with Tagore’s son Rathindranath receiving a telegram from Victoria, which read, ‘Thinking of Him’. That happens to be the title of our film,” Suraj says looking at a portrait haning on the wall of his studio. The only help Suraj has got so far is from the ICCR which organised tickets for the film crew to travel to and fro.

Suraj, who researched a lot of material on Victoria’s association with Tagore from 1914 visited Vishwabharati University twice. “The script was rewritten four or five times”, says Suraj who with Director Pablo travelled all the way to Mussourie to approach Victor and persuaded him to play the role.

The film, to be released in Bengali, Hindi, English, Spanish, French and German languages, is at its last stage of post production. “despite the formidable age gap – Ocampo was in her 30s then, while Tagore was in his 60s – their relationship was one based on mutual admiration and support, “says Suraj who hails from Bihar.

Victor Banerjee feels that with the exception of Bengalis, the poet is not as revered by others in India, and perceived just as ‘somebody who has a beard and wrote Jana Gana Mana. He adds that the Argentinians saw an aspect of him that no one here talks about as a social reformer. “The Argentinians saw him as a social reformer first, then as a great educationist and finally as a poet. My association with him is by default,” he says. Suraj clarifies this film is not just about interpersonal relations, but it is also about the vision of Tagore, who at the age of 63 in 1924 not only dedicated his 1925 book of poems, ‘Purabi’, to his Argentine muse but was also inspired by her to take up painting. In 1930, Ocampo organised the poet’s first art exhibition in Paris where they met in person for the second time. However, until he passed away in 1941, Tagore exchanged a series of letters with Ocampo. Ocampo, was legally separated from her husband – divorce wasn’t possible in Catholic Argentina of the day – in the wake of an affair with his cousins but she never re-married.

Director Cesar says his film will throw light on Tagore’s ideas about education, rural reconstruction and humanity. How much mystery the film will be able to unearth only time will tell.