A Grain of Sand: Chokher Bali

Soon to be a major motion picture directed by Rituparno Ghosh and starring Aishwarya Rai, Chokher Bali is Tagore’s classic exposition of an extramarital affair. It is the story of the rich Mahendra and his simple wife Asha, a young couple who are befriended by the pragmatic Bihari. Mahendra becomes attracted to Asha’s friend Binodini, a young, beautiful widow who is drawn to Bihar. After several twists and turns, Binodini elopes with Mahendra, leaving the entire joint family in turmoil. A sensitive and telling portrayal of the complexity of relationships and how people grow within them, this novel is just as engaging and thought provoking today as it was a hundred years ago, when it was written. A Grain of Sand: Chokher Bali is Nobel Prize-winning author Rabindranath Tagore’s classic exposition of an extramarital affairs that takes place within the confines of a joint family. It is story of the rich, flamboyant Mahendra and his simple, demure, beautiful wife Asha-a young couple who are befriended by the pragmatic Behari. Their cost domestic scenario undergoes great upheaval with the introduction of the vivacious Binodini, a young, attractive window who comes to live with them. Asha and Binodini, become bosom pals. Binodini is initially drawn to Behari but then begins to respond to the advances of Mahendra, who has become obsessively attracted to her. After several twists and turns, Binodini elopes with Mahendra, leaving the entire family in turmoil. On the one hand, A Grain of Sand: Chokher is a sensational account of two illicit relationship: Mahendra’s infatuation with Binodini which blinds him to everything else, and Binodini secret passion for Behari of which she is never able to speak. On the other hand, it is a complex tapestry woven by the emotional interplay between five finely etched characters: the impulsive Mahendra, his adoring mother Rajlakshmi, the frail and sensitive Asha, the strong, silent Behari, and the self-willed and irresistibly attractive Binodini. A compelling portrayal of the complexity of relationship and of human character, this landmark novel is just as powerful and thought provoking today as it was a hundred years ago, when it was written.