Fifty years ago, Sandipan Chattopadhyay made a significant mark on Bengali literature with his short stories. His engaging writing highlighted the everyday lives of ordinary people, earning him accolades like the Kendriya Sahitya Akademi award and the Bankim Puraskar. Now, nearly two decades after his passing, readers can explore his unique voice in a new collection of stories translated into English.
Ten Days of the Strike, translated by Arunava Sinha, features ten of Chattopadhyay’s short stories, some from the early chapters of his career. The title story explores the life of Shubhobroto, a factory worker who feels triumphant after securing an eight percent bonus for his fellow workers through prolonged protests. However, his joy is short-lived as a plumbing disaster at home disrupts his celebrations. Meanwhile, his wife, Kuntala, a stickler for cleanliness, demands that he fix the mess immediately.
Chattopadhyay has a sharp eye for the struggles faced by common people and how politics infiltrates their daily lives. In The Revolution and Rajmohan, we meet a disillusioned office worker grappling with despair. As a protest march passes by, he reflects on his brother’s tragic death and the losses of his past, feeling more connected to fictional characters than to his own life.
In handling relationships, Chattopadhyay often challenges social norms. Ruby in Diamond Harbour tells of a married man who embarks on an affair with his coworker. They escape to Diamond Harbour, where they can briefly enjoy their romance away from societal judgment. Another story, The Last Metro, dives into a couple’s quest for intimacy amid their chaotic city life.
One of the collection’s standout stories, Banabehari and I, explores the intersection of love and politics. Pratibha and Banabehari are devoted members of the ruling Communist party in Bengal. Their commitment spans decades, witnessing the party’s evolution and changes in political leadership. Chattopadhyay uses their lives to reflect on the fluctuating landscape of political ideologies and the impact of revolution on personal lives. As the couple faces personal loss and moral dilemmas, Banabehari asserts that while revolutions may fail, the human right to revolt remains vital.
Chattopadhyay’s stories delve deeply into the lives shaped by both personal and political challenges, showcasing the resilience of the human spirit amidst the chaos of change.
Book Details:
- Title: Ten Days of the Strike: Selected Stories
- Author: Sandipan Chattopadhyay
- Publisher: HarperCollins
- Number of pages: 344
- Price: Rs 499
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Sandipan Chattopadhyay, Failed revolution, tales
