Madhukari by Buddhadeb Guha [Hardcover]

"Madhukari", one of the most celebrated novels by Buddhadeb Guha, is not just the life story of engineer Prithu Ghosh or the embodiment of ‘women’s liberation’ through his wife, Rusha. Nor is it merely an account of the untamed existence of the forest dwellers. It is all of these and more—woven together into a grand, evocative, and turbulent narrative that resonates deeply with the essence of human life.

Prithu Ghosh yearns to live like a great tiger—independent, unbound by societal norms, relationships, or material dependencies. His companions are the outcasts of so-called civilized society. He believes a new order is imminent, where men and women will share equal dignity, freedom, and joy. To Prithu, life must be lived fully—not merely through the act of breathing but by embracing existence itself.

But can Prithu truly live this way? Can a soft-hearted human ever live like a great tiger? Or is human fate inevitably tied to the ceaseless seeking of love, dependence, and survival, much like the ancient practice of Madhukari—where one must beg from door to door to sustain oneself?

Through this stirring narrative, Buddhadeb Guha crafts a novel that is both deeply personal and profoundly universal. Madhukari transcends the individual struggles of its characters and becomes a guide for future generations—a testament to the complexities of human existence in the twenty-first century.

What makes this novel exceptional is not just its storyline but its language, style, and philosophy. Guha’s masterful storytelling blends passion with detachment, desire with disillusionment. His prose shimmers with poetic brilliance, seamlessly incorporating verses from world literature. The result is a novel that challenges both the mind and the heart, offering an unparalleled reading experience.

A landmark in Bengali literature, Madhukari is a novel that resonates with both the emotions of the common reader and the intellect of the discerning critic. It redefines the boundaries of storytelling, aesthetics, and philosophical inquiry, making it a truly unique addition to modern Bengali fiction.