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{{Short description|Bengali short story by Rabindranath Tagore}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2025}}

'''Postmaster''' ({{langx|bn|পোস্টমাস্টার}}) is a [[Bengali language|Bengali]] [[short story]] by [[Rabindranath Tagore]] that explores themes of loneliness, human connection, and the contrasts between urban and rural life.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |title=Re-imagining Tagore’s 'Postmaster' |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Re-imagining-Tagore%E2%80%99s-Postmaster/article14434016.ece |access-date=2024-07-05 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-05-15 |title=পোস্টমাস্টার : একটি নামহীন চরিত্র |url=https://www.risingbd.com/rabindra-nath/news/106426 |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=www.risingbd.com}}</ref> It was written in 1891.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=The Postmaster |url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16106371-the-postmaster |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=Goodreads |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Chronological representation of Rabindranath Tagore's biography. |url=http://www.rabindratirtha-wbhidcoltd.co.in/Rabisarani/search |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=www.rabindratirtha-wbhidcoltd.co.in}}</ref><ref name=":1" />
==Summary==
The story is set in a small village named Ulapur, where a young postmaster from Calcutta has been transferred. The postmaster finds it difficult to adjust to the slow pace and the rural lifestyle. He feels isolated and spends his days in the post office, writing poetry and recalling about his family and friends in the city.

The only person the postmaster interacts with is Ratan, an orphaned village girl who does small chores for him in exchange for food. Ratan becomes emotionally attached to the postmaster, seeing him as a father figure. She takes care of him when he falls ill, and they develop a bond over time. The postmaster teaches Ratan to read and write, and she dreams of a better future with his help.
Despite their growing closeness, the postmaster remains detached, longing to return to the city. Eventually, he decides to leave Ulapur and requests a transfer. Ratan is heartbroken and begs him to take her with him, but the postmaster dismisses her plea, believing it to be impractical.
As the postmaster leaves the village, he feels a twinge of guilt but quickly rationalizes his decision, convincing himself that Ratan will forget him in time. Meanwhile, Ratan is left devastated, clinging to the hope that the postmaster will return.
The story ends on a poignant note, highlighting the transient nature of human relationships and the pain of unfulfilled expectations. Through the simple yet powerful narrative, Tagore captures the emotional complexities of loneliness and the human longing for connection.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-10-08 |title=The Postmaster, Rabindranath Tagore {{!}} The Short Story Project |url=https://shortstoryproject.com/stories/the-postmaster/ |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=shortstoryproject.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=GradeSaver |date=2023-10-05 |title=Rabindranath Tagore: Short Stories “The Postmaster” Summary and Analysis {{!}} GradeSaver |url=https://www.gradesaver.com/rabindranath-tagore-short-stories/study-guide/summary-the-postmaster |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=www.gradesaver.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Tagoreweb |url=https://tagoreweb.in/Stories/galpoguchchho-84/postmastar-1700 |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=tagoreweb.in}}</ref>

== Films based on 'Postmaster' ==
* [[Teen Kanya#The Postmaster|The Postmaster]] (a part of [[Teen Kanya]]), directed by [[Satyajit Ray]] (1961)<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Tagore’s Postmaster revisited in a Bengali film at Chennai festival |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-cinema/tagore-s-postmaster-revisited-in-a-bengali-film-at-chennai-festival/story-V9LyVR7gqQn8Eew3HixFBN.html |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rabindranath Tagore on screen: 5 all-time great film adaptations |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/rabindranath-tagore-on-screen-5-all-time-great-film-adaptations/photostory/100013605.cms |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Postmaster (film)]], directed by Srijon Bardhan (2016)<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" />

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*[https://tagoreweb.in/Stories/galpoguchchho-84/postmastar-1700 Original Bengali text of 'Postmaster' on Tagore Web]

[[Category:Works by Rabindranath Tagore]]
[[Category:Indian short stories]]
[[Category:1891 short stories]]

Postmaster (short story) - Revision history

EliseMacnaghten: Created initial article added tags