Claiming and Disclaiming a Cultural Icon: Tagore in East Pakistan and Bangladesh

Abstract

Repeated governmental attempts to undermine Rabindranath Tagore's influence in East Pakistan (eastern Bengal) met with vigorous resistance by those who respected him as the supreme exponent of Bengali language and culture. During the Bangladesh liberation struggle of 1971, the songs of Tagore inspired Bengalis, regardless of religio-communal diversity. Since then, those in Bangladesh committed to a secular approach to culture and politics continue to revere Tagore (though some have reservations on ideological grounds). Responses to him by those committed to a more Islamist approach to culture and politics range from cautious respect to renewed efforts to undermine his influence in the face of his continuing popularity.