Bondel Gate and Other Stories

By Nayana Chakrabarti

Isha wants to feel like herself during Durga Pujo - but how can she when she doesn't know which version of herself she wants to be? On the other hand, Agomoni, Jayanti, and Nandini find that a falling railing barrier threatens to derail their Pujo plans. Freddie and Aparna have grown up together in the same tight-knit NRI Bengali community; they've grown apart too, but when Aparna re-enters Freddie's life, he is not quite sure what to make of it. And, her.

This collection of character-driver short stories explores the lives of NRI Bengalis in the 21st century as they both prepare for - and trail in the wake of - the biggest festival of their year, the autumnal Durga Pujo.

This is a world where Instagram stories collide with Kumortuli photo shoots, where aunts roll out luchis while sloshing wine all over the countertops, grandsons learn to cook from their grandfathers over videos exchanged on social media while prodigal daughters find that daal tastes of home.

The characters face obstacles and navigate relatable struggles while also tackling their inner demons. Each thought-provoking story explores universal themes like identity, love, body image, motherhood, daughterhood, work, marriage, partnership, homecoming, the cultural tightrope walk of being 'online' at the same as tracing the familiar lines of cultural memories painted against the backdrop of Durga Pujo, as it is celebrated by NRI Bengali communities. While the characters themselves are Indian and, in particular, of Bengali extraction, the themes are universal.

Celebrate Pujo in all its shades with Nayana Chakrabarti's Bondel Gate and Other Stories.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0CNMQ4FSQ
• ISBN13: 9798867797768
• Release Date: November 2023
• Publisher: Independently published
• Length: 194 Pages
• Weight: 0.58 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.4" x 6.0"