Kadambari Devi

Kadambari Devi (1858 — 21 April 1884) was the wife of Jyotirindranath Tagore and daughter-in-law of Debendranath Tagore. She was nine years younger than her husband, whom she married on 5 July 1868 (২৫শে আষাঢ়, ১২৭৫ বঙ্গাব্দ), when she was 10. He arranged for her to be educated.[1] She was nearly the same age as her brother-in-law Rabindranath Tagore (2 years elder to him).[2]

A photograph of Kadambari Devi

She inspired young Rabindranath in composing many of his poems with her creative feedback and comments. She was also a good friend and playmate. She was one of the women who played a very important part in his life. Her relationship with Tagore was controversial and had elements of tragedy.

For reasons that are not known, she committed suicide on 21 April 1884,[3] four months after Rabindranath Tagore married. The Tagore family always remained silent about her suicide. Rumors of family problems having led to her suicide have circulated. After Kadambari Devi's death, Rabindranath was completely broken. For long after her death, he wrote many songs and poems in her memory.