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| Cover of Partition novel, Independence. |
-Brian Mendonca
To read Independence (2022) by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is to be seared by the flames on the cover. This is a Partition novel, but differently told. This is Partition as told from the point of view of a woman - actually four. The three sisters in the novel have very different trajectories. That Divakaruni has brought them to life with such meticulous character depiction is a paean to the craft of the novelist.
The stories in Independence are stories seldom told. Who can understand the ache of a woman pining for her beloved? Who can understand the bond between sisters? How do they all vie for their mother's love and approval? In an astute narrative move, all the chapters are headlined by the names of one of the girls and the developments in their life.
The psychological insight with which Divakaruni weaves this breathless tale leaves you dismayed. Consider for example, the jealousy, Jamini, who is crippled, feels for Priya's love for Amit - and what she does to the sari which Amit brings for Priya for her engagement ceremony (101) Yet, in the end when all else fails, it is only by Jamini's audacious plan that Deepa a.k.a. Aliya can be spirited across the Ichamati.
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| Border between East and West Bengal. |
This is a tale of two countries born out of the Partition of India in 1947, viz. India, Pakistan, and what would eventually become Bangladesh. The time: 1946-48. The violence that raged when it became evident that Bengal would be divided into two nations is brought out in numbing detail.
Amit focusses on the border areas between West Bengal and East Pakistan and calls out their names. Khulna is also mentioned as one of them. (242) It is here that Amitav Ghosh orchestrates the ethnic cleansing of Hindu Bengalis in East Pakistan in 1964 in his novel Shadow Lines.(1988)
Yet love or perhaps a sense of humanity - reaches across all boundaries and communities. It sustains people even if they have to die in the end. It is this altruistic motive that characterizes Dr. Nabakumar, the village doctor, and Amit. Nabakumar understands that service entails sacrifice as he sings his favourite song 'Ek korechho bhalo' [Until the incense is burned, it does not pour out its fragrance.](19) This song disturbs his friend Somnath, the zamindar, even when it is played as a leitmotif at the end of the novel. (284) When he asks his wife Bina to sing for him the last time, Jamini chooses 'Aji Bangla desher hriday hote kokhon aponi' [O mother, when did you emerge from the heart of Bengal.] (51)
Finely told, the novel recaptures the beautiful land of Bengal reminiscent of the lyrical poetry of Jibananda Das (1899-1954): 'On the train to Calcutta the picturesque Bengal countryside dances past Jamini . . Dark Tamaal trees, thatched huts emerald with pumpkin vines, a cowherd playing the flute, a line of women balancing pots on their heads.' (101) The Sarasi river (54, 265) and the Ichamati river (245) are all actors as the novel builds to its climax.
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| Soundtrack for Independence |
The book comes with QR code for a playlist and a soundtrack of songs on Spotify that inspired the freedom movement. 'O Amar Desh Er Maati,' 'Banglar Mati Banglar Jol' are sung soulfully. 'Boli go Sajani jeyo na jeyo na' [Dear friend do not tell him about my love.] sung by Jamini is specially poignant.(257) The songs frame the narrative providing a soundscape to the action.
At the beginning of the novel when the girls have to still find their destiny the mood is summed up in 'Pagla hawar badol dine, pagol amar mon jege othe.' [On this wild windy day / My wild mind awakens] (26)
When Deepa sings in Dacca she tactfully blends her repertoire with Nazrul geet written by Kazi Nazrul Islam (1899-1976), the national poet of Bangladesh. 'Chal, Chal, Chal' [March forward] which she sings for Raza is a beautiful example. (87) At the special request of Mujibur Rahman (1920-75) for Rabindra Sangeet she sings 'Amar Sonar Bangla' [O my golden Bengal]. (191) Sameera, her daughter brings her immense joy. On Radio Dacca she sings 'O mon Romjaner oi rojar sheshe elo khushir Eid' / [O my heart, Ramadan has ended and joyful Eid is here.] (239)
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| Gandhi, Suhrawardy and Rahman at Noakhali, 1946. |
This is a historical novel. The textual references stretch from the Salt March in 1930 to Gandhiji's assassination in 1948. Nabakumar speaks of the Bengal famine of 1943. (16) Abdullah recalls how and Baba joined Gandhi on his Salt March (28) The fallout of Direct Action Day on 16 August 1946 in Calcutta is discussed in the relative safety of the Ganguly household in Ranipur in North Bengal. (40) The riots of Noakhali on 10 October 1946 where Hindus were targeted again puts the sisters and their family in fear. (133, 148)
Dishes of Bengal are described with great accuracy. We feel we are at the table with the characters: 'Because it was Priya's final night . . . Shefali has cooked up a feast, pulao brinjals cauliflower curry fish kalia tomato chutney payesh.' (147) Indeed the fare on the table is an accurate index of the character's social standing and economic well-being.
It is the example of Anandibai Joshi (1865-1887) who did her studies at the Women's Medical College in Pennsylvania, USA, that spurs Priya to do the same. Yet destiny has other plans for her. Even with all her expertise, in a cruel irony, she cannot save the one who is dearest to her. In fact, she hastens the end by administering morphine as she cannot bear to see a person suffer.
Priya is also impressed by Sarojini Naidu (1879-1949) who chants her poetry as she walks with Gandhi. Hearing Naidu's words on the radio rouse her up from her indecision. (148-49) She is buttressed by the song 'Ekta Chalo' [Walk alone, if you must]. (149) When she meets Naidu on the steps to the pond at Beliaghata, where Gandhi stayed for almost a month between 13 August to 7 September 1947, Naidu says, 'So much death in spite of everything Bapuji tried . . . But we must go on carrying the vision forward. It is the only thing we can do to honour the dead.' (276)
The novel teaches the reader about how to be principled. Priya declines Arthur's suit: 'And since Priya cannot make use of people, she cannot take where she has nothing to give.' (269) She is the one who defines home as the space where one is together with one's beloved. 'You are with me. We are home.' (265, 269) The novel ends as it begins for Priya - with the sound of the hooves of a mythical horse. In Earthspinner a clay horse was burned because there were Arabic inscriptions inscribed on it.
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| Tetulia mosque, Satkhira, Bangladesh (252) |
All page numbers from Independence by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. Gurugram: HarperCollins, 2022. Pix courtesy Amazon; British Library Board; Wikipedia; touristplaces(dot)com. This novel will be discussed at an online meeting of the Margao Book Club on Saturday, 25th February 2023. Updated 24/2/23.
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