Swarnakumari Devi

Swarnakumari Devi Biography

Swarnakumari Devi was one of the members of the great Tagore family. She was a poet, novelist, musician and social worker and one of the earliest successful Bengali female writers. She was the fourth amongst the daughters of Debendranath Tagore and was the granddaughter of Dwarkanath Tagore. Rabindranath Tagore was her younger brother. Among her other siblings, Dwijendranath Tagore was a poet and philosopher and Satyendranath Tagore, a musician. Sarala Devi Chaudhurani, the founder of the first women's organisation in India, the Bharat Stree Mahamandal is her daughter. Her husband, Janakinath Ghosal was one of the founders of Indian National Congress and has served as its secretary for many years.

Swarnakumari Devi was born in the intellectual Tagore family on August 28, 1855. She was the fourth among the 5 daughters of Debendranath Tagore, others being Soudamini, Sukumari, Barnakumari and Saratkumari. Rabindranath Tagore was 5 years younger to her. Swarnakumari had her education primarily at home. Ajodhyanath Pakrashi was one among her teachers at home. She got married to Janakinath Ghosal in 1868. He was a well-educated and strong-willed young man belonging to a zamindar family. Tagores were Pirali Brahmins, who were considered outcastes by other Brahmins. Thus, Janakinath Ghosal was disowned by his family and deprived of all inheritance. But through his talent, Ghosal succeeded in business.

Though only male members of Tagore family outshined female members, Swarnakumari was an exception. She became one of the earliest established female writers from Bengal and first female Bengali novelist. Her first novel Deepnirban was published in 1876. She wrote novels, plays, poems and scientific essays. She also composed songs. In 1879, Swarnakumari composed the first opera written in Bengali, Basanta Utsav. She was also active in Indian national congress for a couple of years.

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Updated: January 07, 2014