Translation of the Odia Novel Basanti into English

Abstract

Basanti is the first experimental novel in the genre of collective writing in Odia newlineliterature during the Sabuja Yuga which was inspired by the Bengali novel Baroyari. newlineTwelve Odia writers published Basanti as a novel with their collaborative efforts which newlinebecame a great success. Before being published as a book in 1931, it appeared serially in the newlineOdia journal Utkala Sahitya. Originally it was written by nine authors and the other three newlinewrote under pseudonyms. Breaking the traditional norms of writing, Basanti was a unique newlineproduct of the Sabuja Sahitya Samiti. The entire novel revolves round the life story of both newlinethe protagonists, Basanti and Debabrata, which depicts their love, marital life, social newlineactivities, suspicions, concerns, departure and union. newlineBasanti is an extremely beautiful, modern educated lady. After her parents death she newlinemarried Debabrata against the wishes of the society and its customary rituals. She faced newlineenormous difficulties to get familiarised with the new orthodox environment of the village newlinelife. Her mother-in-law at first behaved with her harshly and indifferently and in that alien newlineenvironment Debabrata was her only hope and support. But he also started behaving with her newlineas a stranger when he read the article written by Basanti advocating complete freedom for newlinewomen. Once Debabrata found a fragment of a letter which was written by Basanti to one of newlinehis distantly related brother which Debabrata misread and suspected Basanti as having an newlineillicit love affair with somebody. With that suspicion he deserted her from his home and heart newlineas a result of which the helpless Basanti took shelter at that distantly related brother s house. newlineDiscovering and reading the remaining part of the said letter after an interval of some months newlineDebabrata could realise his folly of harbouring suspicion on an innocent lady and inflicting newlineundue punishment on her. He then went for an arduous search of her and after undergoing newlinegreat hardship, suffering and penance, he finally had a happy union with Basanti.