Upanyas Samagra 9 by Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay [Hardcover]

A contemporary and prominent critic has rightly written: “Just as a river has no pretense, Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay’s novelist persona is devoid of any affectation. A lively childhood memory, a painful recognition crisis, and a calm, detached observation—above all, a pervasive, noble faith have shaped his writing life.” Shirshendu, one of the rare writers in Bengali literature, draws his strength from this sense of faith. Amidst all the doubts of life, he boldly speaks of an "unwavering transcendence." Even while standing amidst the endless confusion surrounding him, he remains courageous. In this, he is a unique creator.

In any of Shirshendu’s narratives, we see that despite the overwhelming sense of despair around, there remains an "irresistible human concern for humanity." At present, life seems to be crossing through a turbulent time, yet, within this turmoil, he tenderly searches for the sacred essence of human beings. He believes that there is a refuge somewhere, a place to return to. Along with his faith, this "romantic yet ascetic" author’s works are infused with "a naive but intense longing for love." In his own words: “I have tried in various ways to express this yearning in my writing. Yet, I often feel that due to the failure of my style, I haven’t been able to convey my inner love to everyone... Does this world, this Kolkata, this country understand the unspoken love I hold? Can everything be expressed through language?”

Despite the author’s personal doubts, his characters carry within them "the waves of that love."