Durbin

• Author: Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay
• Genre: Historical Fiction / Family Saga
• Format: Hardcover
• ISBN: 9788170664369

About the Book:

📖 Durbin is one of Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay’s most celebrated novels, serialized over two years in Desh magazine before its book publication. This multi-generational saga spans from the late 1920s to the 1980s, capturing the dramatic socio-political changes in Bengal.

🧭 The novel metaphorically acts like a binocular, bringing the distant past closer while also distancing familiar realities, making the title deeply symbolic.

Plot Overview & Major Themes

The novel explores the lives of three generations of a Bengali family, reflecting the shifting political and cultural landscape of Bengal.

1️⃣ First Generation – Hemkanta (হেমকান্ত)

• A Zamindar (landlord) who is introduced grappling with his mortality.
• His secret love story with Rangamoyi, a strong-willed priest’s daughter, is central to this part.
• His internal conflicts and old-world values contrast with the modernizing society.

2️⃣ Second Generation – Krishnakanta (কৃষ্ণকান্ত)

• A revolutionary, deeply involved in the Swadeshi Movement.
• His commitment to celibacy and nationalism brings conflict with his father.
• The partition of India (1947) forces a radical shift in his beliefs and identity.

3️⃣ Third Generation – Dhruva (ধ্রুব)

• A rebellious, disillusioned youth of the late 20th century.
• Struggles with a love-hate relationship with his wife, Remi.
• Estranged from his father, Krishnakanta, as he fails to connect with his ideologies.

👥 The novel isn’t just about personal stories—it intertwines with historical movements, including:

• The Swadeshi Movement 🏴
• The Partition of Bengal (1947) 🔥
• Post-Independence sociopolitical turmoil

💡 Why "Durbin" (Binocular)?
It’s not just a metaphor for looking into the past—it also suggests how perspectives change based on distance. The characters struggle with identity, relationships, and political ideology, mirroring Bengal’s larger transformation.

Literary Style & Significance

✔ Layered narrative blending past and present seamlessly.
✔ Rich character development, making them feel real and relatable.
✔ Deeply symbolic storytelling, where personal and political struggles intertwine.
✔ Award-winning masterpiece, receiving the Ananda Puraskar.

About the Author: Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay

• Born: November 2, 1935, in Bikrampur, Dhaka (now Bangladesh).
• Early Life: Grew up in different regions (Bihar, North Bengal, East Bengal, Assam) due to his father’s railway job.
• Education:
  • Victoria College (IA) & University of Calcutta (BA, MA)
• Career:
  • Started as a school teacher, later became a journalist.
  • Currently associated with Anandabazar Patrika.
• Notable Awards:
  • Vidyasagar Award (1985) for his contribution to children's literature.
  • Ananda Puraskar for Durbin.
  • Sahitya Akademi Award (1989) for Manabjamin.

🔹 Other Famous Works:

• Manojder Adbhut Bari (Children’s Fiction)
• Manabjamin (Novel)
• Parthib (Novel)
• Ghunpoka (His first novel)

Why You Should Read This Book:

✨ If you love historical fiction, Durbin offers a powerful, multi-layered narrative exploring Bengal’s transformation.
✨ A family saga that resonates across generations, making it timeless.
✨ Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay’s masterful storytelling brings history alive through deeply personal tales.