Originally posted by: SayaneeH.Lecter
"Aparachita" was another amazing example of Kobiguru's vision and thought about the women - Indian women, I would say as dowry has been a curse upon them and their families for ages. I probably missed this story in "Golpoguccha" so when I watched the episode I couldn't but compare this story with "Dena-Paona" [Debts & Dues] - Tagore's another short story on the same topic -dowry.
Unlike, "Aparichita," "Dena Paona" depicts the real diabolic picture of dowry system where the groom went against his dowry-craving family and get married to Nirupama. However, he had to left the girl with his family and the girl was left to face insult and indignation. She came to know her father has mortgaged his house to pay the dowry she didn't let him give the money to her in-laws and that made the in-laws furious. Finally, constant negligence towards health killed her - she kind of brought death upon her. Unaware of the happenings her husband send a letter to his mother for sending his wife to him. At the same time, his mother wrote a letter saying, we are fixing your marriage to someone .. this time, the dowry amount is huge and immediate payment."
Phew .. I wrote the entire story in short just to indicate one thing - this was common at that time, this was real.. probably 99% girls victimized by this social evil lived or rather died like Nirupama of "Dena Paona" .. But, he was searching for, longing for one "Kalyani" .. probably that's why the title is - "Aparachita" - The Unknown/ Unfamiliar one [Woman]. The striking difference between two fathers is also notable. While Nirupama's father was a completely vulnerable person who loved his daughter immensely but failed as a father, Kalyani's father emerged as the biggest support system to his daughter.
In Bengali literature, Saratchandra Chattopadhyay in most of his novels depicted the mundane reality of Bengal [especially rural Bengal] AKA India of that time. He didn't try to find a solution, neither gave false hope or a sugarcoated end. His protagonists are as helpless as the real people were. [He was no orthodox, one can see the progressive ideas in "Sesh Prosno" - The Last Question .. but he preferred to paint the truth of the time than dragging a conclusion]
Tagore on the other hand, couldn't be fine with the tragedy of humanity .. he always tried to go beyond the predetermined notions and limitations. Also, he was born in a much advanced, educated Bramha [not Bramhin] family where each and every family member was an achiever .. also, he was a part of Bengal Reneiccanse so for him it was impossible to leave the problem just where it was. So, probably "Aparichita" was his answer to "Dena Paona." .. probably!!
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