Parihatir Harin

• Author: Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay
• Genre: Novel (Upanyas)
• Format: Hardcover
• ISBN: 9788177565478
• Pages: 116
• Weight: 236 grams
• Publisher: Ananda Publishers

Synopsis:

Kalidas Chakraborty, a retired primary school teacher and homeopath, is dedicated to writing the history of Parihati village—not of kings and rulers, but of its ordinary people. His youngest son, Palton, a humble math tutor, assists him in this endeavor.

Their neighbor, Dukhon, has amassed wealth through political connections and illegal dealings. While Kalidas serves as the priest for Dukhon's household, his wife Madhura drifts apart from him, and Rukmini, his mistress, takes her place. Meanwhile, Madhura gets involved in a physical relationship with their servant, Navin, and eventually becomes pregnant.

Confiding in Kalidas, Madhura reveals Navin’s hidden identity—a secret terrorist. Discovering the truth, she contemplates killing him, but ultimately, she cannot. As Kalidas continues to document the history of Parihati, the sudden appearance of a wild deer one day seems to carry a profound message for the people of the village.

Through the intertwined lives of Sudhirbabu, Rima, Rangila, and other seemingly insignificant villagers, Parihatir Harin paints a sensitive and gripping portrait of human relationships, moral dilemmas, and hidden struggles.

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 works seamlessly blend realism and mysticism, making him one of the most revered authors in modern Bengali literature.