Sharmila Tagore Reflects on Her Early Love for Literature

In a recent interview, Sharmila Tagore opened up about her lifelong passion for literature, sharing humorous anecdotes from her school days. She recounted a memorable incident where she was reprimanded for copying a famous poem by Rabindranath Tagore, which she defended as a testament to her good taste. Tagore's reflections on her reading habits reveal her deep connection to classic literature and her illustrious Bengali heritage. Discover more about her literary journey and the influences that shaped her as an actress.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 8, 2025, 18:42 IST

A Glimpse into Sharmila Tagore's Literary Journey

In a recent discussion, veteran actress Sharmila Tagore shared insights into her appreciation for adult literature. She expressed how her early exposure to both classic and mature literary works significantly influenced her intellectual development.

During an interview with a media outlet, Sharmila reminisced about her fondness for reading, particularly adult-themed books and classic literature, which began in her youth. She humorously recounted an incident from her school days when she was reprimanded for plagiarism.

The actress recalled a time when her teacher assigned students to compose a modern poem. Sharmila, instead, copied a piece from a collection titled 'Adhunik Kavita Sankalan.' When questioned, she confessed to her actions but defended her choice by stating that the poem was well-known, authored by Rabindranath Tagore, and thus, she believed her taste was commendable.

Reflecting on her reading habits, Sharmila stated, 'I had a great passion for reading, especially adult literature. I remember getting into trouble at school for copying a poem. I found a piece in Adhunik Kovita Shankolon, which is a collection of modern poems.'

'When the teacher confronted me, I admitted to it, but I argued that it was a famous poem by Tagore, something everyone recognized. I felt I had good taste, so I questioned why I was being punished for it,' she added.

'At that young age, I was already delving into works by Tagore, Bumke, and Sarat Chandra, exploring the classics of Bengal, and later, I expanded my reading to other genres,' Tagore concluded.

For those unfamiliar, Sharmila Tagore comes from a distinguished Bengali lineage and is a distant relative of the Nobel Prize-winning poet Rabindranath Tagore. She made her mark in Bengali cinema with her debut in Satyajit Ray’s 'Apur Sansar' in 1959. Although born in Hyderabad, her family's aristocratic Bengali roots highlight the rich cultural and intellectual legacy of Bengal.