By #Rabindranath Tagore
This is the most beautiful book by #Tagore. Again I am nobody to comment on his work. This is more of an information. The story deals with many issues of human relationships ranging from adoption to inter-community marriages. The fact that all these issues along with the freedom struggle are nicely woven in the story left me amazed that only a genius like Tagore can do it.
The story is set in the pre-independence era when the freedom struggle was at its prime. It starts when Anandmoyi, a childless wife, adops the orphan of a #british lady. She faces harsh criticism from husband and family for this adoption but her motherly love gives her the strength to bear and bring up the child. In the process she gives up her social life. The child is named Gourmohan and lovingly called Gora. #Gora grows up to be a highly educated rebel. He preaches unity of the country. He soon meets the family of Pareshbabu through his close friend Binoy. Tagore describes the advance thinking of the Brahmo samaj through the lifestyle of PareshBabu’s family. All his daughters are educated with convent schooling. Pareshbabu is also the foster father of his late friend’s children, Sucharita and her brother. Initially Gora rejects Sucharita’s thinking but slowly through each meeting her ideas force him to question his own and thus begins a beautiful friendship. At the same time his friend Binoy falls for PareshBabu’s daughter lolita. Gora does not approve this relation. The turning point in the story arrives when Gora discovers his identity. The shock and the depression after this, the change in his thinking process and finally his perception towards all relations and communities makes this book the evergreen book on human relations.
Although this story is set in a period about a century ago, still the emotions are something one feels even today. This book definitely deserves a place in every reader’s shelf and therefore is a great book to be gifted. It is a perfect companion for long journeys. The life and culture of the financially effluent people of pre-independence era has been described very nicely. One definitely feels proud of the rich #Bengali heritage. So the next time you come accross this book in an exhibition or a book store, don’t wait.
sanchitasarkar 