Ghare-Baire (The home and the world)

Ghare Baire – Rabindranath Tagore

Translator: Nivedita Sen

This is novel is a story of subtle transformation. It captures two way changes that emanate from an individual’s interaction with the society around oneself.

In the backdrop of Pre-independence era, this novel not only illustrates the story of its characters but also is a sound account of evolution that was in process during that time. Moreover, careful attention of the author to ever relevant issues of feminism, caste politics, lust for power and wealth, religious bigotry and societal pressures make this novel a wholesome reading experience.

Story begins with Bimala who is a simple lady in the starting. Like all, she too craves for beauty, envied and annoyed by sister in laws, worships her husband and idolizes her mother. However when her life comes out of the “Andarmahal” of the house to the drawing room, in garb of discussions with Sandip, it takes a U turn. Sandip is another significant character in the novel. His character perhaps reflects an extremist ideology initially and is later exposed as someone who channels the enthusiasm in the young and gullible to use it for personal goals. He inspires Bimala that she is the torch bearer of freedom for India. He constantly exalts her, adulates her as Queen. This constant adulation sways Bimala’s mind, she starts comparing Sandip with her husband. Her husband, Nikhilesh, is a complete contrast to Sandip, in manners and in thoughts. Sandip is expressive, whereas Nikhilesh reticent, sandip believes in Machiavellian means in service of nation’s good, Nikhilesh does not approve of application of unfair means, even for the national purpose. Sandip snatches whatever he wants, Nikhilesh believes in the power of will and wait.

There are times in novel when one sees Bimala tilted towards Sandip and completely neglecting Nikhilesh. However with the progress in story Sandip’s other colors are exposed; he takes lot of money from Bimala in the name of national struggle. Bimala comes out of his spell and realizes his weak side, dark side and loathes him for that. She also feels tremendous guilt for the misdeeds she undertook from his inspiration and instigation.

All this while, through Nikhilesh author conveys the difficulty of being good. He is always cheated, towards the end he realizes and expresses that “it is well and good if people are compatible with men of self-willed ideas like me, but those who are not, cheat us. We make even innocent people deceitful.” This expression, though submissive, shows the strength of his character and clarity of his thought. His character also seems to be conveying, indirectly the frailty of women’s character in some parts of he novel. Expressions like, “women were not created for sophisticated men who indulge themselves in ideas” are extreme, derogatory and shows that in mental tumult even men like Nikhilesh give in to the anger and cross the line of propriety. Even in such situations, he is very controlled and composed in outwardly behaviour. This leads to the deterioration of his health.

Nikhilesh’s character also relates to three other characters in brilliant ways and portrays significant aspects of our lives. Chandranath babu, his teacher, is someone who is just like his father. The old man shows great strength in countering the popular opinions. He is the only support of Nikhilesh when almost all around him, mock him, criticise him and hates him. Such support is necessary to nurture the truth and strength perhaps.

Ponchu is a miserable man who seeks help from Nikhilesh in several instances. His misery causes lot of discomfort to Nikhilesh. The best part unfolds in the last chapter wherein the reader sees the bond between Mejorani and Nikhilesh, as that of a mother and child. This revelation comes as a solace in overall chaotic situation, and is full of poignancy.

There is another bond that deserves mention, between Amulya and Bimala. Bimala considers him as his younger brother. Amulya too is initially follower of Sandip but in the end seeing his wickedness draws himself away from him. He symbolises both, deceived and disillusioned youth, who in the end meets poignant death.

All other characters, Mejorani, Barorani, Harish Kundu etc. reflect the societal characteristics vividly. Perhaps all Bengalis and Indians would identify and relate with them easily.

Just like all great creations, Ghare Baire, does not end, it simply blends into our minds and stirs it up with lot of questions. In the end Sandip returns all the money he had taken from Bimala, Bimala confesses her theft to Nikhilesh like a brave lady, Nikhilesh and Mejorani, Nikhilesh takes on to a violent religious mob in order to stop it spreading further violence and is severely injured in that course; Amulya is shot in his chest. Reader is left pondering over these instances and several others.

The answers may be found not outside not inside, only in the intersection of the two perhaps!!