Ami O Ami by Sanjib Chattopadhyay [Hardcover]

‘When did I first realize there is an "I" within me? Perhaps it was that very first cry in my mother's arms - the moment I announced my arrival to the world. Isn't that the beginning of all life? A declaration made in the form of sound upon escaping a confined space. But was that sound born of joy or fear? Who can say? Life begins with a cry, so why all the celebration surrounding it? What have I brought into this world, and what will I leave with? I have no idea. Suddenly, I began to understand that I am a distinct entity. This "I" is a terrifying one. It can embarrass me, mislead me down the wrong path, and even become my destroyer.

If I were to ask, "Who am I?" - this "I" would offer no answers. That is when someone would suggest, "Don't search for who you are within yourself. Instead, ask others who you are. Seek your reflection in the world around you." Such are the curious dilemmas and contradictions of existence! ‘ In his unmistakable, inimitable style, Sanjib Chattopadhyay, the living legend of Bengali literature, unravels the mysteries of selfhood and existence in the first part of his autobiography, ‘Ami o Ami’. Known for his profound stoicism and philosophical musings, he makes life's most perplexing questions feel accessible and universal through his lucid, yet poetic writing. This deeply introspective and magnetic narrative will grip you from the very first page and hold you captivated until the last.