‘Sundaram’: Subodh Ghosh’s search for beauty and unmasking the fake ‘civilized’

Abstract

Against the backdrop of the World Wars and the subsequent era, Subodh Ghosh pioneered a distinct stream of profound realism within the Bengali short story tradition. His works accord particular significance to the lives of the middle class, the lower class, and the marginalized members of society. Subodh Ghosh places at the very center of his narratives those individuals who exist on the periphery of so-called civilized society; it is through the context of their lives that he unveils the true face of a hypocritical civilization. His short story, ‘Sundaram,’ stands as a brilliant exemplar of this perspective. In this work, the author simultaneously explores the true essence of ‘beauty’ while exposing the inner unscrupulous tendencies and hypocrisy of a middle-class youth. Concurrently, through the plight of a helpless beggar girl, he highlights the ruthless realities of society. In the story’s denouement, the author unmasks so-called civilized society, delivering a scathing indictment that compels the reader to engage in deep reflection.