সমাজবাস্তবতার বহুস্বর : প্রসঙ্গ অনিতা অগ্নিহোত্রীর ‘মহুলডিহার দিন’/ The multifaceted nature of social reality: The case of Anita Agnihotri's 'Mahuldihar Din'

Abstract

Social reality refers to the existing real-world situations, structures, values, power dynamics, relationships, and lifestyles within a society, which profoundly influence an individual's thoughts, behavior, and way of life. It is not merely a collection of individual experiences, but rather a composite of social norms, cultural institutions, and structures that transcend the individual. Since literature is a mirror of society, the reflection of social reality in literature is inevitable. Fiction, in particular, is considered the most powerful medium for portraying the multifaceted reality of society. The reflection of social reality is a significant and continuous trend in Bengali novels. Although this trend began with Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, it gained depth and breadth in the works of Rabindranath Tagore, Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, Manik Bandyopadhyay, and Tarashankar Bandyopadhyay. In the postmodern era, social reality has taken on a more subtle, psychological, and introspective form. Anita Agnihotri is one of the most important fiction writers in this tradition. In her novels, the multifaceted reality of contemporary society is reflected with profound artistic consciousness and sensitivity. Her literary works primarily focus on the struggles of marginalized people, family complexities, the existential crisis of women, the mechanization of urban life, and the decay of social values. Her novels are not merely event-driven narratives; rather, they are powerful artistic mediums for uncovering the deeply rooted inequalities, inconsistencies, and crises of society. In the novel ‘Mahuldihar Din’ (The Days of Mahuldiha), she has artistically presented the life reality of the tribal-dominated Mahuldiha region. The lives of the people in this region, surrounded by the Brahmani River and hilly forests, are dependent on the forest, uncertain agriculture, and a deep connection with nature. The Mahua tree, folk culture, the cycle of seasons, and the depiction of working life are realistically portrayed in this novel. Furthermore, this article will discuss various aspects of social reality, including the life struggles of marginalized people, the existential crisis of women, family complexities, social inequality, and administrative inconsistencies, as revealed in the novel ‘Mahuldihar Din’.