সমরেশ বসুর ‘যুদ্ধের শেষ সেনাপতি’ : পর্যালোচনার আধারে/ Samoresh Basur ‘Judhyer Sesh Senapati’ : Parjalochanar Adhare

Abstract

Samaresh Basu made his debut in Bengali literature in 1946 with the short story titled ‘Adab’. Amidst the turbulent socio-political climate of the era, Basu’s distinctive writing style and analytical perspective established him as a unique figure in the literary landscape. A prime example of this analytical approach is his novel ‘Yuddher Sesh Senapati’, published in 1984. Through his analytical lens, he has effectively reimagined this mythological subject matter. The novel offers a meticulous analysis of the political conflicts between the Kaurab and the Pandab , as well as the complex vortex of the Kurukshetra War. In this work, the author highlights the root causes of the Kurukshetra War while simultaneously addressing the conflict between the Aryans and the non-Aryans. Ashwatthama—the son of Dronacharya and the last commander of the Kurukshetra War—serves as the protagonist of this novel. While he effectively brings to the forefront various aspects of the Mahabharata War—such as its causes and chronology—he also analysis the Aryan-non-Aryan dichotomy within a contemporary context. Simultaneously, he grounds these mythological characters in the realm of reality. He portrays Krishna as a political figure, while subjecting characters such as Satyavati and Vyasadeva to scathing criticism. He depicts Duryodhana as a flesh-and-blood human being— battered and scarred by a prolonged struggle. Above all, the protagonist Ashwatthama embodies the author's philosophical perspective regarding the people of this earthly world. This research paper endeavors to explore and elucidate these various themes.