Meyeli Addar Halchal by Bani Basu [Hardcover]

The story revolves around five individuals—Kajolrekha Mitra, Malabika Sanyal, Sumita Sarkar, Shilpi Barat, and Ranjana—each distinct in their lives, professions, actions, and beliefs. However, there is one thread that binds them together: their unadulterated camaraderie. Whether it's taking turns hosting at their homes or chatting endlessly on the phone, the "Panchakanya" (five women) share their life stories. Their gatherings strictly exclude men.
Yet, while the sessions are devoid of men, life itself isn’t. Inevitably, their partners—Gangaprasad, Bikashkanti, Shubham, Chandan, or Nirupam—find their way into the narratives, like necessary words, sentences, and metaphors. The hidden emotional spaces within their minds see shifts where the men carve their place. Within the seemingly casual banter of these gatherings, another layer of storytelling unfolds, brought to life through the inventive style of Bani Basu.