Parapar

• Author: Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay
• Genre: Novel (Upanyas)
• Format: Hardcover
• ISBN: 9788177568417
• Pages: 456
• Weight: 570 grams
• Publisher: Ananda Publishers

Synopsis:

At just 31 years old, Lalit was diagnosed with cancer. After a temporary recovery, he was discharged from the hospital, where he was received by Shambhu, the son of his landlord, and Tulsi, his closest friend.

From this simple beginning, Parapar expands into a vast and complex world where the collision of events transforms every experience. The boundaries between the material and the spiritual blur, revealing a deeper philosophical exploration of life and death.

The story follows Lalit, his elderly mother, Tulsi, Mridula, Sanjay, Rini, Aditya, Shashwati, Aparna, Biman, and Ramen—a man whose eyes seem to offer divine solace even to those contemplating suicide. These contrasting characters intertwine, guiding life toward an extraordinary totality.

Through sorrow and joy, rejection and love, death and rebirth, this novel unfolds as an endless and meaningful journey across life’s transitions, making the reader confront the deepest truths of existence.

About the Author:

Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay was born on November 2, 1935, in Bikrampur, Dhaka (now in Bangladesh). His childhood was spent in various places due to his father’s job in the railways, giving him a nomadic upbringing.

During World War II, his family moved to Kolkata, followed by relocations to Bihar, North Bengal, East Bengal, and Assam. These early experiences frequently appear in his writing.

He studied at Victoria College, Cooch Behar, later completing his B.A. in Kolkata. He pursued postgraduate studies at the University of Calcutta. Initially, he worked as a schoolteacher before shifting to journalism, eventually becoming associated with Anandabazar Patrika.

Notable Achievements:

• First published story: Desh magazine
• First novel: Ghûnpoka
• First children’s novel: Monojder Odbhut Bari
• 1985 Vidyasagar Award for contributions to children's literature
• Ananda Puraskar
• 1989 Sahitya Akademi Award for Manabjamin

Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay’s literary works continue to captivate readers across generations, exploring human emotions, existential dilemmas, and spiritual themes with remarkable depth.