Tilottoma Mojumdar is an Indian Bengali novelist, short story writer, poet, lyricist, and essayist. She writes in the Bengali language. She was born in North Bengal, where she spent her childhood in tea plantations. She was educated at the Scottish Church College at the University of Calcutta.
This book was recommended to me by Amazon when I was searching for authentic books on Mahabharata by Nrisingha Prasad Bhaduri and I bought this on an impulse without expecting too much. However, this turned out to be a good read primarily because the characters were sketched keeping in mind what is already known and accepted about them. It is evident that she has developed her protagonists on the basis of the analysis done by different eminent scholars (Nrisingha Prasad Bhaduri being one of them) and this makes her spin off a very believable and relatable one. Her style of writing is lucid and breezy and there are instances of imagery in her writing which will make you want to come back to it after you've finished reading. There is nothing new in the story of course and it is strictly for readers who are aficionados of the Mahabharata and more specifically of Arjuna. If Arjuna is just another character for you, then do stay away from this book. But if you've ever wondered what he might have felt when he had to give up Draupadi to his brothers, or what he might have felt when he went to exile for twelve years, then this one is definitely for you. "Char kanya" is a misnomer as the story does not talk about Draupadi much, except for the last one or two episodes. In fact, except Uloopi, Chitrangada, Subhadra and Krishna, of course, most of the characters come in Arjuna's thoughts or discussions. So, what you read is what could possibly be Arjuna's views on them but there aren't any interactions for you to make your own deduction. Amongst the heroines, Uloopi shines bright, not just as a character but because this part of the story has the most visual appeal and is beautifully constructed. Chitrangada is good too but the premise may not seem believable to many who are used to elevate our heroes to Gods! Also, it was a bit stretched I felt. I personally liked the portion when Arjuna meets Krishna in Prabhas. Their conversations and interactions thereafter are actually the highlights of the narrative. The ending was rushed and I really wanted the author to think of a different ending because the ending is a let down. It is quite ordinary. But, all in all, a good read for a lazy weekend.
In the plethora of literature inspired by Mahabharata, the Sharadiya鈥�-s of Bengali Literature keep continue the increasing the trend of re-writing and re-telling the tale from varied perspectives. This one is an outcome of the same. Told from the perspectives of Arjun : The third Pandava and his four wives : namely Panchali, Ulupi, Chitrangada and Subhadra, it has varied layers and fresh perspectives, if you are willing to take them. Starting with a prologue about the ever-lasting rivalry of the Nagas and Garudas : stemming from the rivalry of Kadru and Vinata (Mythological buffs need no introduction to this tale I guess.), it quickly shifts to Ulupi, the first female protagonist, from whose eyes we see Arjun first. The narration then shifts to Arjun and his exploits as he wanders and explores his twelve years of celibate pilgrimage and ends up marrying three girls.(irony?) One of the plus points of this novel are the supporting and minor characters that inhibits this novel and make it a believable story, of not only the royal lineage and people but also about the daily chores of a normal life. Moving back to the story, Ulupi lets go off Arjun, and Arjun finds himself in this small city of Manipur, exquisite of its culture and tradition, ruled by the king Chitrabahan. Here he meets the forlorn but lusty lady, bound to dressed up and act as a man, due to her father鈥檚 wishes for a male child : Chitrangada. Arjun gets swept of his feet and ends up proposing her to her father, in lieu of some conditions. He spent three years and begets his second child : Babhrubahan. Meanwhile, his previous wife also begets him a son : Iravan. Arjun, now moves to Pravas, with his thoughts of missing his family, of his childhood and about his life till now and meets Krishna : The man of his life. His alter-ego. They both plan and gets him married to Krishna鈥檚 beloved sister : Chitra/Bhadra/Subhadra. Finally, the pilgrimage ends at Pushkar, and Arjun gets back to Indraprastha with Subhadra, to an angry Panchali : her first wife. But Subhadra ends up placating her. The novel ends with the four characters in an evening under a tree : with Krishna reminiscing about a milkmaid in Mathura, to whom promises were not kept and thinking about the ever-mysterious women in every man鈥檚 life that he chases in his life.
The characters of Yudhisthir, Kunti, Krishna, Karna, Bheem and Panchali, though mostly absent, are talked about, due to their heavy influences in life of Arjun. The novel can be said as a introspect of Arjun in those twelve years. Yudhisthir here is a coward, guarding under pretence of law and rules, much like his cousin : Duryodhan. Kunti, however is courageous, as well as wise but ruthless to get her work done. She is a role-model for our protagonist here and in Ulupi, he sees somewhat the loving mother he seeks for. Chitrangada is more the demanding wife, the better half who gives as well as demand from Arjun. Subhadra is the docile one, completed devoted to her husband. Like the staple food one begets daily. And there is the fire : Draupadi. There were some itches as well in the story. For example, there鈥檚 a line where one of Ulupi鈥檚 friend utters an English word number. Also, there are some chronological errors, if you line it up with the story in generic Mahabharata. Like the Khandav-dahan, that was done before the Pandavas built Indraprastha. But here, Khandav-dahan is still to be done. Throughout the novel, you can see the points, that the author gives for future things to come. The fates of the children of Arjun : Iravan, Babhrubahan. Of Krishna鈥檚 lineage. Of the great war. And of humanity. A recommended read!