Alam's Own House by Dibyendu Palit- A memoir of nostalgia
Q. How does the story, Alam’s Own House by Dibyendu Palit deal with the uncertain composition of Alam’s nostalgia?
Answer: The story of Dibyendu Palit "Alam's Own House" reflects a deep pain of the time of partition of Bengal in 1905. This story is not only of one person, but of every person of that time who lost his soil, his home, his relationship and identity. This story presents Nostalgia, i.e. ' the memories of the past' in a new form.
Partitional pain and identity of Alam
Alam's family went to Dhaka after India's partition. His father had decided to settle in Dhaka, leaving his ancestral house. But Alam was sent back to Kolkata for studies, where he started living with Anantasekhar's family. At the same time, he meets Raka and gradually he gets emotionally connected to Raka.
His attachment to Raka gradually becomes a symbol of the spirit of 'home'. For Alam, Raka is not just a human being, but the memory of his past, his past house, his past becomes everything.
Depth of nostalgia
When Alam starts living in Dhaka, he is still connected to Raka through letters. Raka's memories, the streets of Kolkata, the stairs of the house, the doors, the windows - they all survive in the memory of Alam. He thinks that if his body is seen ripping, then he will find an old house instead of meat and bones.
Three years later, Alam returns to Kolkata on the pretext of a conference. This conference is a symbol of friendship between divided countries like India and East Pakistan (now, Bangladesh). But the real reason of Alam is to see his old house.
Empty walls of the past
When he reaches his old house, everything has changed. Instead of that tree, those old pictures, those scents - all have disappeared. He understands that now this house is left only a structure of brick and stones. It is no longer his "home".
His hope of meeting Raka also breaks, because Raka leaves a letter and goes to Delhi. In that letter, she writes that she could not accept his heart even after wishing and so could not meet Alam. This letter becomes a symbol of his incomplete love.
New nations, new boundaries
Alam understands that now he and Raka have become citizens of two different countries. Earlier, the house, relationship and culture they used to share, now all of them have become memories of only the past. Now both of them have become the identity of different nations and this difference has become not only political, but also emotional.
Self –realization at the end
At the end of the story, Alam understands that the past cannot be lived again. His 'house' is now just a feeling, a memory. The house which was familiar to him, has now become a house for someone else. Alam feels like a homeless, exiled person, whose roots are nowhere.
Thus, "Alam's Own House" is a story that shows how Partition not only divided people's land, but also separated their memories, relationships and identity. This story does not limit Nostalgia only to memories, but presents it as a painful experience that shocks the person inside. Alam's house, his love, his memories - everything has now become an incomplete dream. This is the essence of the story - looking for a lost house and identity.
"Alam's Own House", 15 questions and their simple answers
1. Who wrote the story "Alam's Own House"?
Answer: This story is written by Dibyendu Palit.
2. Which historical event is this story based?
Answer: This story is based on the Partition of Bengal (1905) and the pain of India- East Pakistan (now, Bangladesh) partition.
3. Where was Alam's family settled?
Answer: After India's partition, Alam's family settled in Dhaka.
4. Where was Alam sent for studies?
Answer: Alam was sent to Kolkata for studies.
5. Who was kept here in Kolkata?
Answer: He was kept near Anantasekhar's family.
6. Who was Raka?
Answer: Raka was the daughter of Anantasekhar. She caused Alam to have emotional affection.
7. What was the importance of Raka for Alam?
Answer: Raka became a symbol of his old homes, relationships and memories for Alam.
8. How did Alam stay connected to Raka while living in Dhaka?
Answer: He kept writing letters to Raka and was lost in her memories.
9. What did Alam think when he jumps his body in imagination?
Answer: He felt that an old house was hidden inside him instead of meat and bones.
10. Why does Alam return to Kolkata?
Answer: He returns on the cause of a conference, but the real purpose is to see his old house.
11. When Alam reaches his old house, what does he find?
Answer: He finds that the house has completely changed; now it is just a building of brick and stones.
12. Does Alam meet Raka?
Answer: No, Raka moves to Delhi and leaves a letter.
13. What does Raka say in her letter?
Answer: She says that she could not accept Alam from the heart.
14. What does Alam feel at the end of the story?
Answer: He feels weak, homeless and exile.
15. What is the main message of this story?
Answer: This story tells that the partition was not only of land, but also of memories, relationships and identity. The house is now left as a memory.
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