Alam's Own House by Dibyendu Palit: The concept of 'home'

Alam's Own House by Dibyendu Palit: The concept of 'home'

Q. Comment on the concept of "home" in Dibyendu Palit's story, "Alam's Own House”.

Answer: The concept of "home" in Dibyendu Palit's story, "Alam's Own House," is complex and multifaceted. The story is set in the aftermath of the Partition of India, when millions of people were displaced from their homes. Alam, the protagonist, is one of these people. He was born in Calcutta, but his family moved to Dhaka after the Partition. Alam never really felt at home in Dhaka, and he always longed to return to Calcutta.

The story explores the theme of nostalgia, the longing for a past that can never be fully recaptured. Alam's memories of his childhood home are filled with nostalgia, and he often finds himself daydreaming about the way things used to be. However, the story also suggests that nostalgia can be a dangerous thing, as it can prevent us from fully living in the present.

While going through the story, the readers find the idea of home as a state of mind, a feeling of belonging and connection. For Alam, this sense of home is embodied in Raka, the woman he loves. Raka is from Calcutta, and Alam feels a strong connection to her and to her city. When he visits Calcutta, he feels a sense of peace and belonging that he never feels in Dhaka.

However, when Alam returns to Calcutta, he is disappointed to find that his old home has been significantly changed. The house has been divided into two apartments, and the kathchanpa tree that he used to climb as a child has been cut down. Alam also learns that his childhood sweetheart, Raka, has married someone else.

Alam's experience of home is shaped by his memories of the past, his hopes for the future, and his present reality. The house in Calcutta is no longer the same, but it still holds a special place in Alam's heart. It is a reminder of his childhood, his family, and his first love.

The story also explores the different ways that people experience home. For Alam, home is a physical place, but it is also a state of mind. He feels at home when he is surrounded by people who love him and who share his memories. For Raka, home is a more abstract concept. She feels at home when she is with Alam, regardless of where they are.

Ultimately, "Alam's Own House" is a story about the search for home. It is a story about loss, longing, and the power of memory. It is also a story about the importance of finding a place where we can feel loved, accepted, and connected.

The story ends with Alam leaving Calcutta and returning to Dhaka. He is still not sure where he belongs, but he knows that he will always cherish his memories of Calcutta. In the end, the story suggests that home is not just a physical place, but also a state of mind. It is a place where we feel loved, accepted, and connected. For Alam, this place is both the house in which he grew up and the city of Calcutta.

Thus, the concept of "home" in Dibyendu Palit's story "Alam's Own House" is complex and multifaceted. On the one hand, the story explores the physical reality of home, the house in which Alam grew up and where he had many happy memories. This house is a symbol of stability and security, a place where Alam felt loved and accepted. However, the house is also a reminder of the Partition of Bengal, which forced Alam's family to leave their home and move to Dhaka. This event had a profound impact on Alam, and he never fully felt at home in Dhaka.

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