The Essence of Suchitra Bhattacharya’s ‘Anubhav’: The Language of Love

Abstract

Suchitra Bhattacharya, a renowned fiction writer of the twenty-first century, has effectively compiled a lexicon of marital relationships within her stories and novels. The dynamics of conjugal life — spanning various social strata and age groups — are portrayed with exquisite precision in her writing. We encounter the story of just such a unique couple in her short story, ‘Anubhav’ (The Feeling). The presence of Nirmalya introduces a layer of complexity into the middle-aged marital life of Pratima and Sitangshu. This complication stems, in reality, from Sitangshu’s jealous love — an intensity that has repeatedly wounded Pratima. Yet, ultimately, Nirmalya’s brief, silent presence — lasting but two days — seems to have taught Sitangshu the true essence of love, and, more importantly, how to cherish it.