The Home And The World

The English translation of Ghare-Baire (1919) The Home and the World was first serialised in the Bengali magazine Sabujputra in 1915. It follows the story of a wealthy and educated gentleman Nikhilesh his young wife Bimala and his fiery friend Sandip a headstrong Swadeshi fighter. Under Sandip's influence Bimala abandons the traditional role she has hitherto occupied and begins to step out of her confined world. But she is also dazzled by Sandip's rhetoric unimpressed by the moderate politics and quiet determination of her husband and her transformation into a modern woman carries with it a great price.Translated by Surendranath Tagore this controversial novel was condemned by many for being immoral and unpatriotic. But a few admired it deeply for the way it refused to sacrifice common-sense for fiery political rhetoric.