Jan 15, 2014 07:57 PM
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Durgesh-Nandini
Durgesh Nandini was the first novel of Sir Bankim Chandra Chatopadhyay. It was first time published in 1865 in Bangla. The Durgesh-Nandini was highly appreciated by contemporary scholars and newspapers. Nearly 14 editions published of this novel during his life span. The English version of this novel came in 1882 while its Hindi edition came in 1885. This novel is first time adopted as play in 1873.
It is very strange that every man wants a woman in his life to as a partner or soul mate. A woman who is gentle, with a unique talent of being a housewife, who respects elders etc. But he wants one more quality also in own wife, that is beauty, grace etc. But what is the beauty? What is the definition of beauty? How can you lecture about beauty?
You can become a means of understanding and knowing about beauty after reading this novel of Bankim sir. In the presented, Bankim sir rediscovered and portrayed the beauty of four women - Vimla, Tilottama, Ayesha and Aasmani. I never heard and read such detailed descriptions of the beauty of a woman which is very rare to me. The beauty described by the Bankim sir in this novel about the woman is very beautiful, unique and unimaginable.
This novel will be worthwhile to understand the definition of love for which our country is famous. A love, which shows feelings, sacrifice and humanity etc. and make India’s culture and history meaningful.
This novel is set against the background when Emperor Akbar was expending their kingdom in India. He defeated the then ruler of Bengal; Pathan’s and incorporated Bengal in their Empire. But, then Pathan’s started guerrilla warfare with Mughal Army. Emperor Akbar sent Man Singh with 15000 troops to handle this situation in Bengal. Jagat Singh, son of Man Singh was also with him. Jagat Singh was also powerful and brave as Man Singh.
One night, Jagat Singh sake of spending the night takes refuge in a temple where he meets two woman Vimla and Tilottma who were present there as refugees. Jagat Singh falls in love with Tilottma at first sight. Jagat Singh introduces himself to both and asks for their intro. Vimla told him that she will give their intro after 15 days at same place.
Now story takes you towards the King Virender Singh, the king of Gadh-Mandaran. Tilottma is only child of him which is care by Vimla. Virender Singh got a message from Pathan’s to support them in war against Mughal’s. Virender Singh wants the pact with the Mughals but not by Man Singh. Because Man Singh had given some wound to Virender Singh in his past life. But somehow, Virender Singh agrees to pact with Mughal’s. The Pathan’s gets agitated and plan an attack on Gadh-Mandaran.
While Tilottma falls in love with Jagat Singh and told this to Vimla. Vimla meets Jagat Singh in the temple and explained everything about Tilottma and her. Now, Jagat Singh knows about the rivalry of his father and Virender Singh. He wants to end his relationship with Tilottma but at last he wants to meet Tilottma. Vimla take him to the Palace of Gadh-Mandaran.
The story maintains its continuity and after many fluctuations there is a happy ending. Jagat Singh and Tilottma met in last and their love got success. But to succeed in the path of love there are many forks and thorns and to overcome from them they faced many problems. Many secrets have been revealed in the center of the story which maintains recreation of this story. There are many political and diplomatic conspiracies found between the stories of these two love birds. But the relationship of love repeatedly survives in this Chakravyuh. Bankim sir presented many human emotions in the story which makes the story more vibrant. These things make this story more realistic then fictional.
The representation of love-emotions-humanity-politics etc., made this story unique and beautiful. This is a woman based novel, in which Bankim sir presented three woman characters very strongly. Bankim Sir had written many novels which were centralized to Woman characters and their issues of that time. The all novels by Bankim sir written before “Anandmath” were centralized to Woman. Woman love, her social agenda of that time, her sacrifice, her importance in society etc. were the main focus that can be seen in his novels. This novel comes in the same scanner. The description of characters and beauty of three woman of this novel, will bound to think that who is better.
In last, I want to say that many good things and qualities can be learned from Bankim Sir Novels. And these will help in modifying your life.
