NewPather Panchali
A Childhood Unfolds Amid Rural Bengal's Beauty
by Bibhutibhushan BandyopadhyayNovelComing-of-ageLiterary Fiction
পথের পাঁচালী
Originally in Bengali1929
35 chapters568 pages10h read
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About This Book
Step into the vibrant heart of rural Bengal with Pather Panchali, where the joys and hardships of daily life are etched into every moment. Follow young Apu, his spirited sister Durga, and their resilient parents as they navigate the shifting fortunes and small wonders of their ancestral village. Through lush descriptions and heartfelt scenes—like a child's delight over a shared banana—the novel invites readers to experience the innocence, longing, and resilience that define family bonds. Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay's masterpiece offers a poetic window into a vanishing world, alive with nature, tradition, and the bittersweet pulse of growing up.
Characters
View all 220 charactersAbout the Author
Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay
1894–1950
Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay (1894–1950) was a renowned Bengali novelist and writer, born in the village of Muratipur in what is now West Bengal, India. Raised in modest circumstances, he pursued his education at Bongaon High School and later earned a degree from Surendranath College in Kolkata. Bandyopadhyay worked as a teacher and briefly as a government clerk before devoting himself to writing. His deep connection to rural Bengal, shaped by his upbringing and personal experiences, profoundly influenced his literary work. Despite financial hardships, he remained committed to depicting the realities and beauty of village life, which became a hallmark of his storytelling.
Places and Terms in this Book
Nawabganj— A town through which the road to Nischindipur passes.
Nilmoni Ray— A person whose abandoned homestead is mentioned as a landmark; cousin's son of Ramchand, who worked in the commissioner's office and eventually left the village with his mother.
Puja— A Hindu religious festival, during which Gokul’s wife’s brother visited; also a Hindu religious ceremony or worship ritual.
Chandimandap— A pavilion or hall in the village used for gatherings and rituals.
Ichhamati— A river mentioned as running alongside the village, symbolizing the passage of time.
Lakshmi— The Hindu goddess of fortune, mentioned as the provider of blessings for the family.
Vocabulary
ghat— A set of steps leading down to a river, used for bathing or religious purposes.
Bou— Daughter-in-law or wife, used as a respectful address for a married woman.
Didi— Elder sister.
anchal— The loose end of a sari, often used for various household purposes.
Baba— Father; a term of affection and respect.
Chaitra— The last month of the Bengali calendar, corresponding to March-April.