Chhayasoudhara Abashesha

About the book: Chhayasoudhara Abasesha (The Remnants of a Shadow house), a novel by Sahitya Akademi award winning author Gourahari Das is an excellent departure from the conventional fictions written on brothels and red-light areas. Keen and critical observation of characters, graphic portrayal of their metempsychosis and the interpretative analysis of the issues in question are some of the special features that set the novel apart from the traditional ones. For Minu, the protagonist, motherhood without shedding any blood is not possible. She who had once reared numerous colourful dreams was disgraced as a blood-thirsty witch and later a damned wretch. Still, she had the unbound zest for life which she wanted to share with all, particularly with the unfortunates. Minu, the prostitute rebelled against the flesh traders and saved the girls dragged forcefully to this heinous profession at the cost of her life. The presentation of a stirring and thought-provoking theme having immense socio-ethical relevance enriched with pathos-ridden mellifluous language and nostalgia beyond any doubt, gives the novel a unique and prestigious place among the must-read Indian novels.