The Crisis of Women's Existence in Tapan Bandopadhyay's Selected Stories/ তপন বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায়ের নির্বাচিত গল্পে নারীর অস্তিত্বের সংকট

Abstract

Are Women Truly Independent in the Era of Globalization? Can we confidently claim that women have achieved true independence in today’s globalized world? The question remains open to debate. Even in contemporary times, women face existential crises, vividly depicted in Tapan Bandopadhyay’s stories like Eklabya's Gurudakshina, Ruperhat, and Bibamisha. In society today, women are still expected to handle household chores, while men are groomed for external responsibilities. From childhood, girls grow up bound by numerous societal norms, a restriction rarely imposed on boys.

           Literature, often regarded as a reflection of society, captures these realities. Writers consciously embed societal issues into their works, revealing how deeply ingrained these challenges are. As we progress through the 21st century, it is worth questioning whether our mindset has evolved alongside technological and cultural advancements.

          Despite achieving higher education, women often find themselves powerless in the face of patriarchal systems. The exploitative tendencies of such societies continue to harm women, as seen in Rabindranath Tagore’s Denapaona, where Nirupama becomes a victim of the dowry system. This tragedy resonates in modern incidents, such as the death of a female doctor in Kerala due to dowry-related violence.

          Tapan Bandopadhyay’s stories highlight various crises surrounding women’s existence, shedding light on the struggles they face and the societal barriers they encounter. The focus of this discussion is to evaluate how these literary reflections align with the realities of present-day society.

The question thus remains: has globalization truly empowered women, or do traditional oppressions persist, masked under modern norms? This thought-provoking inquiry continues to challenge societal complacency.