Upanyas Samagra 3 by Bimal Kar [Hardcover]

Bimal Kar's "Complete Novels" - Third Volume
After the first two volumes of Bimal Kar’s Complete Novels, here comes the third volume. This volume contains eight works, among which Keranipara’s Kavya, Oi Chhaya, and Ei Prem, Andhare were written in the earlier phase of the author’s literary life.

It is noteworthy that in Keranipara’s Kavya, the conventional structure of a novel is entirely absent. There is no storyline or main characters such as hero or heroine. The narrative centers around an ordinary locality, a railway colony from earlier times, and the four primary seasons of the year, with numerous and varied characters scattered throughout.

In Oi Chhaya, although there is a nominal protagonist, the entire story is built around the portrait of several neglected, angry characters. Ei Prem, Andhare raises the question of whether, despite the political turmoil, the human heart remains indifferent, or if it is unaffected.

From the very beginning of his career, Bimal Kar did not adhere to the conventional norms of novel writing, and this is evident in his works. Later, works like Deep and E Aboron similarly deviate from the accepted narrative structures. However, Bimal Kar’s works are not confined to just the structural aspects. In Bhubaneswari, the quest for the truth is perhaps harsh, but it is undeniable. In Deep, apart from its structural innovation, it also touches on the deep pain of human existence.

Yadubansh is one of the author’s popular novels. It suggests that the self-destruction of youth in this generation is not only due to social, familial, and environmental factors but also due to personal emotional dilemmas and anguish, which is an important realization. E Aboron or Shanshay reflects multiple questions about life, the complexity of relationships, and the nuances of happiness, sorrow, and joy.

It is often said that in Bimal Kar’s works, there is an attempt to reveal both the clear and ambiguous aspects of the human mind. While this truth cannot be denied, it is perhaps more accurate to say that, in all his works, there is a central question about life that remains constant. Bimal Kar’s distinctive quality as a writer is not limited to the richness of his language, the depiction of nature, or everyday life concerns. It also encompasses the existential question of how we sustain our existence, a theme that pervades his work.