![]() A society that does not allow women to live outside the shadow of a man, the superstitions that plague them both within and outside their homes, these things are so well etched in Basu’s book. The book is less than 350 pages, but Bani Basu has delivered such a poignant story, throwing light on the customs of that period, and gender-based discrimination within a patriarchal society that widows had to endure. But, sadly nothing has changed even today. Through Bandana, we are taken on a roller coaster ride to see the status of women in our society, how they’re rendered miserable and are judged for their choices when they try to break free from stereotypes. Yet, when Roop grows up she loses that last anchor too. When her Kaka passes away after some years, her son Roop becomes her only anchor and she sacrifices every happiness for his. Bandana slowly but surely rejects the norms when she finds herself constantly humiliated by society, mostly women. She is given a new lease of life when she is rescued from her miserable marital home by her Kaka, a man of modern and rational thinking. She anchors herself to the upbringing of her son, Abhiroop as a way to survive it all. She is treated like an outcast and is forced to give up all her favourite things. She is given crude clothes to wear, stone glass to drink from and a plate of white marble set on the floor to eat from. She is now forced into leading life as a widow, as per the norms set by society. ![]() The story begins in 1955 and narrates the tale of Bandana, who loses her loving, indulgent and a modern husband Abhimanyu at the age of 27. ![]()
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