Sandipan Pathshala by Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay [Hardcover]

The story is set from around 1920-21 through the years following India's independence. It revolves around Sitaram, a villager from Birbhum, and his father Ramanath, a farmer by profession. Their livelihood depends on farming. Ramanath wants Sitaram to join him in the fields, but Sitaram aspires to become a teacher by pursuing education.

During that period, caste-based narrow-mindedness was at its peak in colonial Bengal. It was an unspoken rule that a farmer's son would become a farmer, and a cobbler's son would follow the same trade. However, Sitaram chose the path less traveled.

Sitaram was never exceptionally talented or even considered average. He struggled to pass school exams and even failed multiple times. Despite this, he remained determined, as becoming a teacher was his sole goal in life. Knowing the path was fraught with obstacles, Sitaram sought to overcome each one. In this journey, he defied all societal barriers and eventually established the 'Sandipan Patshala'—inspired by the ashram of Sandipani Muni, where it is said Lord Krishna and Balarama once studied.

This novel captures Sitaram's resilience and determination, highlighting his struggle against societal norms to achieve his dreams.