Bhatir Deshe by Amitabha Ghosh [Hardcover]

This is a Bengali version Amitabha Ghosh’s The Hungry Tide, which delves into the marshy lands of the Sundarbans. In this land, crocodiles swim in the waters, tigers roam the land, and there are people who fight for survival, having lost everything in the battle with nature. At the beginning of the last century, a British man named Daniel Hamilton attempted to create an ideal society in this land of mud and forests. His dream forms the basis for The Hungry Tide.

The society and culture of the Sundarbans stand on the unwritten rules and customs of the region. The delicate balance of the land starts to shake with the arrival of two characters: Piyali Roy, an Indian-American researcher who comes to study the rare species of dolphins in the region, and Kanai Dutta, a sophisticated businessman from Delhi. Kanai's aunt, Nilima, is the head of a local voluntary organization. Nilima's husband, Nirman, a retired headmaster, was a believer in progressive political ideas. After the forced displacement of refugees from Morichjhapi in 1979, Nirman mysteriously dies, and this becomes a turning point in the story.

Piyali's guide in the Sundarbans is a local fisherman, Fakir. During their travels through the rivers and channels, Kanai joins them as a translator. As the story progresses, the narrative weaves through the landscapes of the Sundarbans, its history, its folklore, and the lives of its people.

In this epic-like novel, Amitav Ghosh brings to life the natural world, history, and local traditions of the region, creating a rich tapestry of life and struggles within the backdrop of the Sundarbans. The novel not only portrays the beauty of nature and human perseverance but also sheds light on the political backdrop of the region, making it a powerful reflection on the human condition and the balance of nature.

This novel, through its intricate story, invites the reader into the lives of the people of the Sundarbans, showcasing their struggles and the strange, historical social balance of the region. Amitabha Ghosh’s The Hungry Tide stands as a profound exploration of the land, history, and culture of the Sundarbans.