সৈয়দ ওয়ালীউল্লাহর ‘একটি তুলসী গাছের কাহিনী’ এবং দেশভাগের সাহিত্য : একটি বিশ্লেষণ/ akti tulshi gacher kahini by Sayed Waliullah and Partition Literature: analysis

Abstract

Partition literature occupies a significant place in South Asian literary studies, as it documents the historical trauma surrounding the division of the Indian subcontinent in 1947 following India’s independence. This body of literature vividly portrays the widespread pain, displacement, communal violence, and psychological turmoil experienced by millions. Beyond recording historical events, Partition literature delves deeply into the inner world of individuals whose lives were fractured by sudden political boundaries, reflecting terror-stricken minds, broken social structures, and enduring emotional scars. Among the notable works in this tradition is ‘Ekti Tulsi Gachher Kahini’ (The Tale of a Tulsi Plant) by Syed Waliullah, which stands out for its subtle yet powerful depiction of social and mental divisions during the Partition period.

Syed Waliullah, a pioneering figure in modern Bengali literature, presents the Partition not merely as a political event but as a profound social and cultural rupture. In The Tale of a Tulsi Plant, Waliullah symbolically explores the disintegration of traditional values, familial bonds, and communal harmony through the narrative of an ordinary rural household. The tulsi plant, a sacred symbol in Bengali Hindu culture, becomes a powerful metaphor representing faith, cultural identity, and continuity, which are threatened in the changing socio-political landscape of Partition. Through this symbolism, the author highlights the fragile coexistence of communities and the vulnerability of cultural preservation in times of conflict.

The narrative also emphasizes the interrelationship between individuals and society, revealing how political decisions penetrate domestic spaces and affect personal beliefs, relationships, and moral values. Waliullah’s realistic portrayal of fear, uncertainty, and psychological conflict captures the silent suffering of people often overlooked in grand historical narratives. His work reshaped modern Bengali fiction by shifting focus from external violence to internal dilemmas, thereby enriching the discourse of Partition literature.

This article analyses ‘Ekti Tulsi Gachher Kahini’ as a significant Partition text, examining its thematic concerns, symbolic elements, and socio-cultural implications. It further explores the story’s impact on society and its enduring relevance in understanding the human consequences of Partition, making it a vital contribution to both Bengali literature and Partition studies.