Basudhara by Tilottama Majumdar [Hardcover]

In the past, the term "Janapad" was used. Now it is referred to as "Para" (neighborhood). There are various layers to it. Just like smoke, which spirals through different layers of air and eventually becomes air itself, the expression of the past winds creates variations in the process—over time, the lifestyle of the people in the Janapad or neighborhood continues to evolve, touching and penetrating through its various layers. With time, the outer appearance of life changes. The sheen changes. But, does anything truly change?

Alongside affluent, aristocratic neighborhoods, the lower-class settlements have always existed. Just like in the story, alongside the "Mathurer Gôṛ" (Mathur's neighborhood), there are refugee colonies, the Fatikbil slums. Throughout the ages, the coexistence of the upper class, lower class, and the destitute has written a history filled with sin, virtue, faith, rituals, conflict, exploitation, envy, and hatred.

Dr. Mallinath from Mathurer Gôṛ is a generous and highly respected person. But, in the end, deep-rooted customs make him self-destructive. Professor Anisuzzaman, who searches for the roots of religion and rituals, one day discovers love standing at his door—a love that one spends a lifetime searching for, and yet holds in their heart like Radhika and Shamsher of Khilpatni village, a love that transcends customs and establishes the triumph of humanity. In this novel, Nilima and Nilofa are two wonders. Despite the differences in age and social structure, a deep bond is formed between them.

The novel also features other characters like Devopam, who is driven to suicide due to the shame of his parents' identity, and is accompanied by Anupam, Arup, Pranabesh, Shefali’s mother, and others who represent different forms of humanity. It is in this setting that Haricharan and his wife Tulsi take in an abandoned child. When the wife named Jini dies, a collective protest arises. In the Fatikbil slums, a blind boy touches and senses the past, present, and perhaps the future of mankind. Life revolves around countless events.

Life is sometimes peaceful and infinite. Sometimes, it feels restless and fragmented. Yet, life never stops. From unseen sources, cycles of union and separation, acquisition and loss, love and pain continue to unfold. Upon all this falls the eternal nectar of "Boshudhara" (Earth’s embrace), which signifies life’s continuity and connection.

This novel was honored with the Anand Award.