Baniya Bahu

The story of Baniya Bahu is based on a 16th-century narrative, recounted by the contemporary poet Mukundaram Chakravarti in his work Chandi Mangal. Mahasweta Devi has taken this narrative from this book and transformed it into a deeply moving novel. Mahasweta Devi believes: Baniya Bahu is perhaps still relevant today. Polygamy, defying the law, is still prevalent today... And women still consider themselves guilty if they cannot bear a son. That is, we are still living simultaneously in the twentieth century and other past centuries. (From the preface of this book) Baniya Bahu is the story of this timeless tragedy of polygamy. This novel is a poignant account of a womans infertility, along with the untold atrocities she inflicts on another, extremely tender, beautiful, and simple girl, destroying family life and peace. Ultimately, both women succumb to the web of social evils and superstitions, though through no fault of their own. With complete empathy and attentiveness, the author analyzes and exposes the circumstances that hold the seeds of a terrible social catastrophe. A unique novelistic work from the pen of a skilled storyteller.