The Boat-wreck is a translation of Rabindranath Tagore’s Bengali novel
Noukadubi, by Arunava Sinha. As the title suggests, the novel is the story of a boat wreck, and the ensuing catastrophe it brings about in two families. Adorned with evocative language and exquisite depictions of nature,
The Boat-Wreck is a moving tale of human lives stuck between the wheels of fortune, and of complicated human relationships.
Two wedding parties drown in a boat wreck with the only survivors being one of the bridegrooms Ramesh, and the other party’s bride, Kamala. Kamala and Ramesh, who had not seen their respective partners before their wedding, believe they are married to each other as they try to move on from their recent misfortunes and settle in each other’s company. The story takes a turn as a wonderful romance brews between the couple -- a very meek Kamala and a caring Ramesh. Though he gets to spot the error soon, Ramesh, full of remorse, remains attracted to her. But their cosy world soon collapses as Kamala leaves him the moment she comes to know the truth. A series of adventures take both Kamala and Ramesh to Benaras, where they meet each other again in the most unlikely of circumstances. In a poetic narrative full of charismatic encounters, Tagore weaves a tale of love, fate and emotional upheavals.
Tagore has always been known as one of the most farsighted philosophers. Even if some parts of the novel may seem dated, Tagore has portrayed certain nuances of society that are still relevant. Arunava Sinha’s language effortlessly blends with Tagore’s diction making the read a poetic experience. Written with Tagore’s philosophical insight and romantic fervour, The Boat-wreck is an early twentieth-century depiction of love that goes beyond ownership.
How critics view the book:Gulzar said in a review, "Tagore picks up the flotsam of a love story from the Ganga and narrates it like only he can. An eternal human story."
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