Parthiba by Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay [Hardcover]

"Why life? What is the meaning of this life? Why is it merely about surviving? Or is there a golden significance hidden deep within it? This world and life are filled with such questions. In this vast novel by Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay, a devoted servant of classic literature, there is a quest for definitive answers to these eternal questions. Like any other novel, this one has its characters and events, along with the profound currents of consciousness flowing within humans. Yet, as in eternal literature, there is a deep resonance that transcends the beginning and end of this narrative, and even the entire story itself. This is where its significance and uniqueness lie. Since its long publication in the magazine 'Desh,' 'Parthib' has been celebrated by readers from all walks of life. The flow of this story weaves through cities, towns, and villages, enveloping countless people's narratives intertwined with urban and rural life, leading to a marvelous convergence of unpredictable outcomes.

The story unfolds in a remote village, where the elderly Vishnupad sits on the broken veranda of his house, gazing expectantly at the half-finished home of his middle son. From this seemingly minor scene, the novel gradually expands into various narratives. It spreads across different aspects of life, revealing the seen and unseen forms, colors, and rhythms of existence. On one side are Vishnupad's three sons—Krishnajiban, Ramjiban, and Bamacharan—along with his daughter Binapani and her husband Nimai. On the other side are Hemang, Charushila, Choyon, Jhumadi, Anu, Monish, Aparna, Anish, Apa, and many others related to them. The struggles and connections among these people create a diverse world, where the conflict-ridden portrayal of modern civilization is set against the backdrop of traditional nationalism."