The Making and Unmaking of Myths and Legends : Hansuli Banker Upokatha/ মিথ ও পুরাণের ভাঙ্গা-গড়া : ‘হাঁসুলী বাঁকের উপকথা’

Abstract

From the earliest time of civilization, people have very much adopted to the reforms and beliefs of the ancestors. Religion and division are associated with this belief. This belief and reform are seen in many literature. In Bengali literature, Tarashankar Bandopadhyay wrote a number of novels to make this myth alive. The myth has been uncovered since the beginning of this novel. The story begins with the focus of an unknown whistle. However, the Karali wants to free the entire neighbourhood from the myth’s cover, by discovering the true cause of the sound.  In this novel, myth- centric superstition can be noticed between the Banwari and Suchand and the openness of modern thought can be notice in the Karali. The protagonist has fought against many myths of Bashbadi from the very beginning. Sometimes the reason of the sound was due to a Russell’s viper snake being burned, at times when he was in a dispute with his neighborhood for making a pakka house and when he chose a new life in Chandanpur. Not only did he chose himself a better life, but during the war, all the people of Bashbadi village were dragged to Chandanpur for giving them a better life. However, the path of the Karali was not smooth. Banwari and Suchand had always tried to promote the greatness of ‘Kartababa’ of Hansuli Bank. The conflict of veteran and newcomer is the core concept of this novel and the reality of the myth and mythology has gained prominence in the story. However, the author has cut off the old myth very nicely and implemented the latest myth.