Ichhamoti

Set in rural Bengal in the latter half of the 19th Century, Ichhamoti vividly portrays the intertwined lives of Bengali villagers

and British plantation owners on the banks of the river Ichhamoti.Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay's poetic and poignant prose captures the essence of life on the riverbank, evoking a powerful sense of nostalgia that lingers long after the last page is turned. This chapterless novel

weaves together historical elements with the ebb and flow of the characters' fortunes, creating a stunning tale that illuminates the shifting nature of social and cultural hierarchies. With its beautifully drawn characters and evocative descriptions of rural life, Ichhamoti brings to light the long-forgotten memories and untold tales that have shaped our understanding of history.

Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay (1894 -1950) is a towering figure in Bengali literature, and his novels continue to captivate and inspire readers today. Ichhamoti is a testament to his genius and a fitting tribute to his legacy.

Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay (1894 -1950) was an iconic Bengali writer known for his powerfully evocative descriptions of rural life and authentic depictions of bygone eras. His novel Pather Panchali ('Song of the Road') was adapted into an award-winning film in 1955 by another iconic Bengali figure, Satyajit Ray. Ichhamoti, his last novel, posthumously garnered him the Rabindra-puraskar, Bengal's highest literary honor, in 1951. It is considered by many to have been his magnum opus.

Chhanda Chattopadhyay Bewtra's previous translations include two novels, Distant Thunder by Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay and Looking for an Address by Nabaneeta Dev Sen. She is also the author of Tadoba theke Timbuktu, a travelogue written in Bengali. An Emerita Professor of Medicine and a passionate traveler, she is currently based in Omaha, Nebraska.