Raktagolap by Avishek Debroy [Paperback]

"Raktogolap" – A Novel Set in the Tumultuous 1970s

The 1970s was a paradoxical chapter in Bengali history—marked by both chaos and achievement. The ultra-leftist political movement lured a group of idealistic young men and women into revolutionary dreams, attempting to dismantle the system overnight. While they challenged the rigid structures of the state, the outcome was more destruction than transformation. At the same time, this era saw the emergence of numerous artists and writers whose creations enriched Bengali culture for the next five decades—and continue to do so today. Whether one sees it as a time of fear or romance, this period remains an inseparable part of modern Bengali history, impossible to ignore.

Set against this backdrop, Raktogolap captures the essence of the 1970s. While the novel touches upon the evolution of left-wing and ultra-leftist movements, tracing their rise from British India to independent India, it is not a historical documentary. Instead, Raktogolap is a political narrative—yet, at its core, it is a love story. Inspired by Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities, the novel revolves around human relationships, not political propaganda. There are no stereotypical portrayals of Naxalites as tragic heroes or the police as villains—unlike many films, plays, and literature of that era. Here, the reader is left to judge.

The central theme of the novel is the evolving relationship between Subrata, an idealistic communist youth, and Mallika, a fearless modern woman. Their journey unfolds through a constellation of characters—Nirmal Chakraborty, Mihir Chatterjee, Sudhin Biswas, Tarun Sen, Bablu, Prabhas, Nihar, Deepak, Amalanshu, and many more—each playing a role in shaping their fates.

The novel also incorporates real historical events, such as the Kashipur-Baranagar massacres, along with the lesser-known yet significant murder of Congress leader and social worker Piyush Ghosh of Patipukur—perhaps for the first time in fiction.

One of the novel’s most distinctive features is its unique narrative technique. Unlike conventional historical fiction that looks back on the past, every event in Raktogolap is narrated as if it is unfolding in 1971 itself—preserving the immediacy of the present moment. The era comes alive through references to cricket, advertising, and even the ongoing Liberation War of East Pakistan.

Readers will find themselves transported effortlessly into this turbulent yet unforgettable time.