সাত পাকে বাঁধা

by Ashutosh Mukhopadhyay

124 pages, Hardcover

First published March 14, 1960

About the author

Ashutosh Mukhopadhyay (Bengali: আশুতোষ মুখোপাধ্যায়, anglicised spelling of surname: Mukherjee ) was one of the most prominent writers of modern Bengali literature.

He was born on September 7, 1920 in Bajrajogini, Dacca (now Dhaka) as the fifth of ten children of a Bengali Brahmin couple, Paresh Chandra Mukhopadhyay and Tarubala Devi. Mukhopadyay graduated in commerce from Hooghly Mohsin College, then affiliated with the University of Calcutta. His first story was Nurse Mitra, published in the newspaper Basumati, which was later made into major movies (Deep Jwele Jai in Bengali and Khamoshi in Hindi). Bollywood films like Safar (1970) and Bemisal were also made from his novels.

He died on May 4, 1989.

Reviews

[Farzana Raisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

সংসারে তৃতীয় ব্যক্তি এসে কাঠি মারলে যা হয় :3

[Shotabdi · Rating 3 out of 5]

ভালো লাগল না তেমন। বেশ মেলোড্রামাটিক। সুখেন্দু এবং মিসেস বাসুর মতো মানুষের জন্য কষ্ট পায় অর্চনা কিংবা ননীমাধবের মতো মানুষেরা৷ এবং অর্চনা, নাহ, মনে রাখার মতো কোন চরিত্র নয়।

[Kishore · Rating 3 out of 5]

• Archana Basu is a teacher at an all-girls school. She’d watch children playing in the field in the recess rather than gossiping with other teachers. She is friendly with the children of the school's gardener . One day, the elder boy of the Gardener, Ganesh drowned in the Ganges, which is SITUATED behind the school. Archana informs the headmistress to warn the students about staying away from the river. Archana appears devoid of any emotion.
• Nikhilesh, the secretary of the school, gave Archana a lift at his step-sister Kalyani’s request since it was raining heavily. Kalyani sensed that Nikhilesh had feelings for Archana. Kalyani even arranged for Nikhilesh to visit Archana's house, telling Archana about the feelings of Nikhilesh. Archana told Nikhilesh He don’t wanna attach his life to Archana’s because She is 6-7 years older than him & a Divorcee.
• Archana first noticed Sukhendu on a bus. He caught her attention because, though he looked like a goon, he sat beside her in the ladies seat after struggling to carry heavy books while standing. Archana later met Sukhendu at a party celebrating Mantu's high school results. Sukhendu happens to be Mantu's teacher, not a goon. Over time, they became friends, and Coincidentally, Archana's father knew Sukhendu, as he had saved him during a protest at the university.
• Mrs. Basu raised concerns about Archana's growing closeness with Sukhendu. When Mr. Basu proposed the idea of marrying Archana to Sukhendu, Mrs. Basu strongly opposed it. Meanwhile, Nanimadhab, a business partner of Archana’s elder brother Bijan, also noticed Sukhendu getting closer to Archana and her family. Bijan, sensing Nanimadhab's feelings for Archana, didn't argue when Nanimadhab hastily told him to buy a car. Everyone, especially Mrs. Basu, was impressed by Nanimadhab's car purchase. Bijan, Archana's elder brother, proposed her marriage to Nanimadhab. After riding in the car, even Mrs. Basu began considering the idea. However, her proposal was rejected, as Mr. Basu had already decided to marry Archana to Sukhendu with her consent. As a result, Sukhendu and Archana got married.
• After marriage, they spent time together, but Mrs. Basu constantly criticized Sukhendu whenever she had the chance. Her inference affected their relationship. She often interacted with Sukhendu in a condescending way. She exaggerated his ambitions to elevate his status in the eyes of others, which irked Sukhendu. Mrs. Basu's sense of superiority became evident in every situation. She installed a telephone line, bought expensive show tickets, and gifted Archana expensive sarees, which instilled an inferiority complex in Sukhendu. These actions had a negative effect on Archana and Sukhendu's relationship, leading to FREQUENT arguments.
• Meanwhile, Bijan and Nanimadhab expanded & prosper in their business. Bijan bought a car and even moved to a bigger house. Sukhendu's avoidance of his in-laws grew over time, culminating in his refusal to attend Baruna's wedding. Archana confronted him, and eventually, they decided to divorce.
More-
Argument 1: Sukhendu was unable to attend Bijan's birthday party with Archana. Feeling CONTRITE, Sukhendu tried to make amends by initiating intimacy with Archana. However, However, her refusal, accompanied by a remark about his financial INADEQUACY, hurt his feelings; RENDERING Sukhendu stopped to live with her in the same room.
Argument 2: Sukhendu’s Pishi (aunt) left the house after overhearing Mrs. Basu saying bad things about her on the telephone by accident.
• After the divorce, Nanimadhab tried to get closer to Archana. All the family members, except Mr. Basu, encouraged it. However, during a trip to Agra, Archana dissuaded Nanimadhab from having any hope for a relationship with her.
• To avoid further complications, Archana sought a new job and found one. Before moving to another city, she visited Sukhendu's house. A woman holding a baby opened the door, and Archana realized that Sukhendu had started a new life.

[Polo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit melodramatic and immature. Perhaps, life is like that.

[Debopom Dey · Rating 4 out of 5]

মন্দ নয়। পড়ার পর কিছুদিন অন্তত রেশ থেকে যাবে।

[Sumaiya Khair · Rating 4 out of 5]

মন্দ না,মোটামুটি ভালোই(৩.৫/৫)

[Anish Bhowmik · Rating 2 out of 5]

5.5/10