Jonakider Bari by Smaranjit Chakrabarty

In a house where countless fireflies flew at night, and which everyone knew as the house of the fireflies, lived Kaju. Over time, this very house gradually became the object of everyone’s desire. The house, its land, and the promotion related to it sparked conflict, drawing in people from different layers of society. Greed, jealousy, and hatred became entwined with this greater event.

Alongside this larger narrative, the story also weaves through personal lives. We see Noi, who overcomes her sadness and learns to stand on her own feet. We witness Aika breaking free from her inner conflict, becoming a new person. We find Mahir, caught in indecision and vulnerability. We observe Pushkin’s loneliness and detachment, haunted by regret for his past. We encounter Radhia, who carries the scars of a soft, shy heart. And then, there are Kaju and Pekham—two lost souls from a forgotten time. Along with them, we meet Bijon, Smaran, Paritosh, and many other characters. These diverse figures from two different times act as a bridge, gradually revealing the picture of a new life through their subtle connections with each other.

And amidst all of this, there is the city of Kolkata. It blends with the stories of the city’s summers and monsoons. It intertwines with the tales of firefly-like people who continue to live in the darkness of pain and sadness.