Prasobkal (Bengali Version)

Writer: Suman Chakraborty
No. of Pages: 312
Genre: Novel
ISBN: 9788195856602
Extra Production Details: Hardcover

Description of the Book:
"প্রসবকাল" is a social novel set in the pre-partition era, with the backdrop of a small village, Shreepur-Nandigram, situated on the banks of the Meghna River in Noakhali district, Ramganj Thana. The village, surrounded by numerous ponds, lakes, and marshes, had a serene existence, with the river often creating new sandbanks. The predominantly Hindu village housed a centuries-old temple dedicated to Barahi Ma. Both Hindus and Muslims of the village participated in the temple rituals. The temple priest, Ramgopalbabu, also the headmaster of the village's only high school, was respected by all, and was related to the local landlord Shashibhushanbabu.

The narrative focuses on the village's peaceful yet competitive atmosphere, with personal and political rivalries developing between characters like Hem, Prafulla, Noni, Yadu, Sabbir, Habib, and others. However, the harmony is disrupted when communalism begins to spread in the village. Dreams of a separate Muslim state, Pakistan, take hold, promising a solution to their struggles. The tension escalates after one-sided news of the Kolkata riots reaches the village, fueling the fire of religious division. This leads to the tragic historical event of the Noakhali massacre, which is the focus of this poignant novel.

The book is a portrayal of the destruction of a village during the Noakhali massacre and offers a glimpse into the social and political upheavals that led to the tragedy.