‘BHARAT VARSHA’ Authored by Syed Mustafa Siraj(1930-2012) and Translated by Dr. Md Siddique Hossain
Description
SUMMARISATION: Syed Mustafa Siraj, a renowned Bengali author, was known for his captivating works, including 'Neel Ghorer Nati' and 'Aleek Manush'. He was a prominent figure in music and later pursued a career in music. Siraj's short story, "Bharat Varsha," was included in a Bangla textbook for students of the West Bengal Council for Higher Secondary Education during a time of deep-seated division in India. The story depicts a marketplace in a rural settlement, surrounded by bamboo and surrounded by a brick kiln. The market is a symbol of resistance against communism and the impact of untimely rainfall on agricultural yields. In a hamlet, people engage in unrestricted behavior, often leading to intense discussions and physical altercations. During winter, they gather near an oven to raise their body temperatures and discuss various topics. The tea vendor, who earns revenue from selling tea, maintains a sense of assurance over remuneration from the locals. One day, an elderly woman, known for her wrinkles and aging appearance, is found motionless and discarded in the riverbed. The villagers, concerned about her fate, decide to transport her to the nearby police station, knowing her decomposition will determine her fate. The decomposing cadaver remains immobile in the sunlight, and the villagers contemplate the arrival of a ravenous vulture swarm. A group of Hindus and Mohammedans recite rituals in Arabic while transporting a corpse from a nearby region. The Hindus, who abandoned the corpse, were enraged and decided to interment her in a cemetery. Rival factions vying for control of the gurney began, with spectators tossing profanities and brandishing swords and pikes. The government watchman tried to avert the conflict, but his words went unnoticed. Unbeknownst to everyone, the deceased corpse trembled and a trembling woman appeared. The bewildered guardian proclaimed, "Burima, you were not dead!" The woman, enraged, questioned her beliefs and demanded to leave before time ran out. The enraged woman gathered her possessions and disappeared, never to be re-observed.