Marudesh Katha

Author: Abhijit Tarafdar

Book Details:

• Genre: Novel (Upanyas)
• Format: Hardcover
• ISBN: 9789388870955
• Pages: 160
• Weight: 273 grams

📖 Synopsis:
One evening after school, Jhilam hears a groaning sound. As she follows the sound, she finds Saikat, a student, lying between two benches—his head down, saliva dripping from the corner of his mouth. His school bag rests on the desk’s groove. Her scream brings people rushing in, and they quickly take Saikat to the nursing home, but he doesn't survive. However, what shocks Jhilam the most is that she soon finds herself embroiled in a legal case.

Meanwhile, her personal life is equally troubled. Her son Rik suffers from a severe illness, keeping him bedridden since childhood, and her relationship with her husband, Somnath, is slowly deteriorating. As Jhilam’s story unfolds, so does the grim reality of Bengali medium schools transforming into English corporate institutions, revealing a poignant portrait of modern urban society.

🔹 A thought-provoking novel that captures the dilemmas of contemporary education and social realities.

About the Author:

📖 Abhijit Tarafdar made his literary debut in the early 90s under the guidance of the legendary Bimal Kar. His first published novel, "Mahajagatik" (1997), gained critical acclaim. Over the next decade, he continued to write extensively.

🏆 Notable Works & Recognition:

• "Mahajagatik" – Awarded by Bangla Akademi
• "Chaturtho Hriday" (2006) – Won the prestigious Sharad Arghya Best Novel Award
• Short story "Shonaktokoron" – Featured in Sahitya Akademi’s anthology
• "Chalche" – Selected as the Best Puja Short Story

📖 For Abhijit Tarafdar, awards matter less than the deep emotional impact his stories leave on readers. He values their introspection, disturbance, and engagement above all.