Set in the background of pre-independent arena and World War II, Saptapadi presents a love story of two young hearts tormented under the socio-political and religious manacles of the contemporary era. The novel Saptapadi is a bona fide of the socio-political turmoil, entrenched in which the religious difference dominating the interrelationship between the human beings as a part of the contemporary society. Saptapadi at the same time narrates those vigorous Indians, who were competing equally with British in all fields whether it is education or sports. With an aroma of Renaissance, the novel Saptapadi is not only the representation of society but also the human conditions, their faith and love in that society.
Author:
One of the stalwarts of Bengali Literature, Tarashankar Bandopadhya was born in 23rd July 1898 in Birbhum. Born in the period of transition, Tarashankar experienced the contemporary socio-political condition. A sensitive observant of human situation, Tarashankar made a piercing analysis of the human psychology in their response to the socio-cultural and religious customs prevalent in the post war period. In delineating the contemporary socio-political crosscurrents, Tarashankar has depicted the human relationships, which appears in his novel with a touch of romantic ardor. Tarashankar`s novels are the authentic picture of the socio-political arena in which is ingrained the human relationships of different kinds and standards.
Synopsis:
Saptapadi is the detailed analysis of human relationship based on the story of Krishnendu and Rina Brown, in the contemporary socio-political ethos. The story line develops with the enmity and finally the amity between Krishnendu and Rina Brown, two equally talented students of National Medical College. Although the potential hostility, their interaction in a multitude of sports and cultural events leads to the approbation of each other. However the amorous relationship did not expressed into their marital union because of their religious difference. Herein lies the piercing analysis of human relationship, which happens to be the chief subject of Tarashankar in his Saptapadi.
Being an insightful observant of the interrelationship of men, Tarashankar inhaled the spirit of true relationship which cannot be subdued by the customary socio-religious chains. Saptapadi, not a diversion, concludes with the union of Krishnendu and Rina Brown in a military hospital. Krishnendu pondering over the past and his sudden unexpected interaction with a drunk and passed out Rina, results into their reunion with the approval of Krishnendu`s father, which indicates the subjugation of religious customs.
Saptapadi is the study of human relationship in the contemporary socio-political background. The title of the novel cues the significant theme of the relationship of Krishnendu and Rina Brown. The word "Saptapadi" signifies the marital bondage of the love of two souls made by chanting hymns. Saptapadi narrates the emotional bondage of Krishnendu and Rina, instead of being unmarried. The title "Saptapadi" is itself very symbolic and poignant enough to point out the intensity of the romantic relationship of Krishnendu and Rina Brown, the heart of the novel.
