Himadri

• Author: Subhash Bagchi
• Genre: Novel (Upanyas)
• Cover: Hardcover
• ISBN: 9789354254154
• Pages: 612
• Weight: 672 grams

Himadri is a powerful and deeply human narrative about a real-life character, a boy named Himadri, who is born into challenging circumstances. From a very young age, he faces the harsh realities of life, especially after losing his mother. He becomes a product of his circumstances, yet his journey is one of survival, resilience, and discovery.

The novel chronicles Himadri’s struggles from his early years, shaped by the loss of his mother and the difficult family environment. He moves beyond the constraints of his upbringing, inspired by a strong sense of determination and a desire to break free. At the age of fifteen, in the middle of the night, he runs away from his uncle’s house to join the Gandhi-led Salt March, participating in the Independence struggle alongside Congress volunteers. From this point on, his story is set beyond the family unit, focusing instead on the larger world and the people he meets.

Himadri’s journey continues through personal battles — love, unemployment, identity crisis — and ultimately into the battlefield. The novel juxtaposes his internal struggles with the external ones he faces during World War II, where he fights against German General Rommel in North Africa, before being involved in battles across Libya, Tunisia, Cyprus, and Italy.

Upon returning to India, after enduring the partition, riots, and the emotional scars of the freedom movement, Himadri struggles to find his place in the newly independent country. The novel is set against the backdrop of the Second World War, Independence struggle, partition, and the violent aftermath of communal riots.

Subhash Bagchi’s debut novel, Himadri, explores the life of an ordinary man caught in extraordinary times. It weaves a rich tapestry of historical events, personal resilience, and the human spirit. It delves deep into the life of a man who grows beyond his own limitations and proves that even in the toughest circumstances, the human will can shine brightly.

About the Author:

Subhash Bagchi was born on January 14, 1948, in Tatanagar. In 1955, due to his father’s job, the family moved to Darbhanga, and he completed his higher secondary education in 1966 before going on to study Civil Engineering at Bihar Institute of Technology, Sindri. However, he got involved in the Naxalite movement during the years 1969-70 and was expelled during his final year.

After his expulsion, he completed his degree in English Honors. He came to Calcutta in 1976 with the goal of reuniting the broken faction of his group but failed in this attempt. In 1978, he realized that this path was not meant for him. In 1989, he passed the PSC exam and was appointed to a position in the Finance Department of Writers' Building. He retired in 2009.

Himadri is Subhash Bagchi's first novel, drawing inspiration from his own experiences and his observation of the political climate and social upheaval of his time.