Shwetpatharer Thala

• Author: Bani Basu
• Genre: Novel
• Format: Hardcover
• ISBN: 9788170669883
• Weight: 216 grams
• Publisher: Ananda Publishers

Synopsis:
At an age when many women today are yet to be married, Bandana lost her husband. But her story is not of the present—it is from four decades ago, when the winds of social reform had barely touched the inner quarters of aristocratic households. In her traditional in-law’s home, it was only natural that she was assigned the white attire of a widow and a simple vegetarian diet served on a white marble plate. With her four-year-old son Abhirup, Bandana embarked on the difficult journey of widowhood, facing the harsh realities of an oppressive system.

Shwetpatharer Thala is a poignant tale of survival and defiance. With extraordinary skill and deep compassion, Bani Basu narrates the struggles, challenges, and transformation of Bandana’s life, while also painting a subtle yet powerful picture of changing social values and structures. Bandana emerges as a living symbol of women's emancipation, standing firmly against cruel oppression, blind beliefs, and unjust traditions.

About the Author:
Bani Basu was born on 26th Phalgun, 1346 (Bengali calendar). She pursued her education in Kolkata, first at Lady Brabourne College and later at Scottish Church College, where she earned an Honors degree in English. She completed her Master’s in English Literature from the University of Calcutta in 1962 and went on to become a professor at Howrah Bijoy Krishna Girls' College.

Bani Basu started writing during her student life, contributing essays, stories, poetry, and translations. Some of her notable translation works include Sri Aurobindo’s Sonnets, The Best Love Stories of Somerset Maugham (1980, Rupa), The Best Short Stories of Somerset Maugham (1984, Rupa), and The Best Short Stories of D.H. Lawrence (1987, Rupa). Her first short story was published in Anandamela and Desh magazine in 1981, and her debut novel Janmabhumi Matrubhumi appeared in the Sharadiya Anandalok in 1987.

This novel is a compelling and thought-provoking portrayal of the resilience of women in the face of societal oppression.