Mohanta Elokeshi Sangbad by Shripantha [Hardcover]

The story involves a monk and a housewife named Elokeshi, who is young, beautiful, and married to a man named Nabin, who is away in the city. Elokeshi lives with her parents in the village. Madhav Giri, the powerful Mahant of Tarakeswar, meets Elokeshi during her visit to the temple, leading to the monk's fall from asceticism. Elokeshi, influenced by circumstances, becomes involved with the deceitful Mahant, leading to a scandal.

In 1873, upon discovering Elokeshi's affair, her husband Nabin kills her in a fit of rage, and is exiled for the crime. The Mahant is imprisoned for adultery. This sensational event caused a huge uproar in 19th-century Bengal, with plays, farces, pictures, and songs about the scandal.

Author Sripantha revives those days of unprecedented excitement in his book, providing a detailed account of the Bengali society of that time. He explores various historical and social contexts with meticulous research, shedding light on the broader backdrop of colonial-era social culture, including the relationship between rulers and subjects, and the interactions between East and West.

The book features rare colored illustrations by Kalighat painters and offers a unique type of social history that feels equally relevant today.