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Chokher Bali (Template:Lang-bn), literally Sand of the Eye, equivalent to eyesore, is a Bengali novel written by Rabindranath Tagore in the early twentieth century.

Plot

Binodini is a young widow left to her own devices when her husband dies soon after they are married. She returns to her village and lives there for a couple of months until she accepts the invitation of Rajlakshmi to live with her and her son, Mahendra (who had rejected a former marriage proposal with Binodini). He is newly married to Ashalata (a naive, gentle girl), but soon begins to feel a strong sexual attraction for Binodini.

The story details the relationships of these three and Mahendra's best friend Bihari as they deal with issues like distrust, adultery, lies, and numerous problems between them.

Binodini is a convent educated young girl who has been widowed and hence reduced to living very badly (like all widows of that period). Her husband had died soon after their marriage. When Rajlakshmi, a wealthy widow living in Calcutta, invites Binodini to stay with them, Binodini accepts.

Initially, Rajlakshmi's son Mahendra is besotten with his wife and forgets the world for her but after Binodini arrives, Mahendra and Binodini begin to have an affair.

Critical acclaim

Tagore elaborately records early 20th century Bengali society, through his central character, the rebellious widow, who wants to live a life of her own. In writing this novel he exposes the custom of perpetual mourning on the part of widows, who were not allowed to remarry and were condemned to a life of seclusion and loneliness. It is a melancholy, stirring tale of the deceit and sorrow that arise from dissatisfaction and sorrow. Tagore has said about the novel, "I have always regretted the ending".

Film adaptation

File:Chokher Bali cover.jpg

Poster for the movie Chokher Bali

The novel was adapted into a 2003 film by Rituparno Ghosh, starring Aishwarya Rai, Prasenjit Chatterjee and Raima Sen.

External links

More about Choker Bali: A Review

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 ==Plot==
+Binodini is a young [[widow]] left to her own devices when her husband dies soon after they are married. She returns to her village and lives there for a couple of months until she accepts the invitation of Rajlakshmi to live with her and her son, Mahendra (who had rejected a former marriage proposal with Binodini). He is newly married to Ashalata (a naive, gentle girl), but soon begins to feel a strong sexual attraction for Binodini.
-The girls (Tasfia, Jamee, Toree, Nishat, Arpa and Rifah) live together in London in a girl’s hostel. While the boys (Monzer, Rafin, Meehal, Saifur and Shamanin) live in a boy’s hostel. They all study together in a London University and are the best friends. One night, they plan to go out and have ice-creams. It is early February and is pretty cold. Nishat is known to catch colds pretty soon so the girls decide not to stay outside for pretty long because it starts snowing. However, once they reach the hotel, the guys call them and they talk almost for 4 hours!
-Next morning
-After sleeping till late, the girls and the boys get up pretty late and so they miss the University. Jamee later comes to know her sister is getting married and so she goes to Bangladesh for two weeks. Now starts the main story!
-Note: The Main Focus will be on Rifah and Saifur!
-Everyone is in the University. The girls has got their math class so it will take a long time while the boys who had an art class have already finished their classes and is on the canteen talking about how they missed Jamee’s sister’s wedding. The girls catch them up after about 20 minutes later.
-Ki golpo chole? Tasfia said as she took her seat on the other table since on one table only 6 persons can sit.
-“Kisu na. Jameer boner biye miss korlam, tai.” Rafin reply.
-“Hmm, ta thik…exams ashtese to...Jameer onek problem hobe pore, I guess.” Toree said.
-“Accha thik ase..amra boys ra ei niye onek golpo korsi...ekhon new topic.” Saifur said.
-“Exams er age cholo na ektu moja kori.” Nishat said as she took a sip of lemon juice.
-“Chai, math kisu bujhi na…well for a break I agree with Nishat.” Monzer said.
-“Right, koi jao jaye?” Arpa said as she leaned on her seat trying to make herself comfortable.
-“Let’s go to park opposite the University…amra kokhoneo valo vabe jaygata dekhi ni..moreover pashe ekta valo restaurant o ase..kida lagle kethe parbo r February mash to borof diye dakha, I am quite sure.” Meehal said.
-“Exactly, good idea Meehal.” Rifah said.
-“That’s fine but kobe jabo?” Shamanin ask.
-“Day after tomorrow...chuti jete parbo.” Tasfia said.
-“So plan fixed.” Toree said.
-Two days later, the girls and the boys prepare themselves for exams by studying whole morning but later in the evening, all get ready to go to the park. The girls all wear red colour dresses while the boys choose black. The dress colour was actually based on theme put by Monzer. The boys come to pick the girls at 6.15. After talking a bit with Jamee on phone, they set out to go. They have hired two cars. Nishat, Arpa, Rifah, Rafin and Shamanin go on one car while Tasfia, Toree, Monzer, Meehal and Saifur go in another. On the way they talk a lot. When they reach the park, darkness has already filled and many people were leaving but some very few were still present. As predicted by Meehal, some parts were filled with snow and they all loved to see that. They sit on the benches and talk a lot. Saifur and Rifah have quite a bit eye-lock session but with the others they manage to pull it back. Later, they threw snowballs at one another and the park became full of laughter and giggles. Later, they went to the restaurant and have some sandwiches and milkshake. When they return home, it is pretty late at about 11.00. But they get so tired that when their heads hit the pillow they fell asleep. Tasfia-Toree sleep in one room, Nishat- Arpa in another while Rifah- Jamee sleep in other. But now that Jamee is not there, Rifah has to sleep alone. The boys Monzer- Rafin in one, Meehal- Saifur in one while Shamanin sleeps in the other alone. When Rifah almost fall asleep, she gets a call on her mobile. She is quite shocked on seeing Saifur’s name flash on her mobile.
-“Hello.” Rifah says in a sleepy tone.
-“Ghumayo?” Saifur ask in a questioned tone.
-“Ha gadha.”
-“Sorry but actually Meehal ghumaye porse and no one else is there with whom I can talk ar ghum ashe na to…”
-“Oh, math koro ghum chole ashbe.”
-“Rifah eta kono kotha?”
-“Oma 26 days pore exam ar University te 26 days mane to only 26 hours to age theke shob kore rakha valo na?”
-“Ha ta thik but shokale onek korsi. Ekhon na.”
-“Tai koyta korso shokale?”
-“24.”
-“Ami 25.”
-Saifur laughs on hearing that.
-“Hasho kan?” Rifah ask.
-“Emne.”
-“Accha valo ekhon rakhi khub ghum ashe.”
-“Accha.” Saifur puts the phone down.
-The next day, everyone is in a cheerful mood. After class, everyone goes for basketball practice except Rifah and Saifur. Saifur had to finish his math while Rifah had to finish her art. They both sit outside the University campus and are busy in their works hardly talking. Suddenly from the back they hear loud song playing. The other University have a reunion party. The song is Love Story from Taylor Swift. Saifur looks at Rifah and suddenly a smile comes across his face seeing her. He doesn’t know why but suddenly a strong feeling grows in his heart seeing her. Rifah finishes her art and turns to Saifur who is deeply engrossed seeing her.
-“Ki hoise?” Rifah ask.
-Saifur comes back to reality. “Kisu na.” He lowers his eyes.
-“Pora shesh?”
-“Ha 2 ta sum baki.”
-“Oh, tumi kore felo, I will wait.”
-“Na thak…tumi jao.”
-“Eto formality dekhao keno? Koro ongko.”
-“Ok baba.” Saifur quickly finishes his sums. “Jagga 2 ta exercise shesh.” He said.
-Rifah smiles. Both of them get up and turn to the basketball court. The others have already finished first round and Rifah and Saifur come to play on the second. Later, they go back home. At night, Saifur is doing some sums when he suddenly thinks about Rifah. He often used to think about her and not just her but almost all the other girls but today he thought about her differently.  Rifah is completely different from him. He is short, she is tall. He is dark, she is fair. He is thin, she is fat. But now nothing seems to matter. He is completely surrounded by Rifah. Her smile, her talks, her way of walking, talking and even eating now seems the best among all. Even though all thinks, the best smile is of Tasfia and Nishat’s, the best talks is of Arpa’s, the best style of walking is of Toree’s and best eating is of Jamee’s. But now he doesn’t seem to care of others at all. Suddenly, he comes to reality. “What is happening to me? I never thought of her this way.” Saifur thinks and then smiles. After a little while he pauses “Am I in love?” A smile comes on his face as he thinks that. Meehal notices it and says, “Saifur, Math er preme porli naki...Math korte korte hashish….pagol hosh nai to?”
-“Very funny, Meehal.” Saifur says.
-For a few days, Saifur only thinks about Rifah. Finally he decides to talk about it to the other boys. While eating on the table (the only time in which they are together before exams) Saifur breaks the news of how he thinks about Rifah.  Others are completely sure Saifur has fallen love with Rifah and coax him to tell it to Rifah. So just before 24 nights before exam, Saifur calls Rifah and tells her to meet him alone! The boys have already told everything to the other girls and everyone is very happy to hear that. Saifur has told Rifah to meet him outside a river place. When Rifah comes there, she is shocked on seeing everything decorated with flowers and leaves. Saifur comes there a little later.
-“Hi.” He says.
-“Hi, Saifur eto decorate keno korso?”
-“Ektu porei bolbo. Rifah, remember the first time when we met?”
-“Ha but ajke hotat ei kotha?”
-Saifur comes close to Rifah and bends down on his knees. Bringing a ring he holds Rifah’s hand and says in a sweet way “I love you, Rifah.”
-Rifah is shocked for a few minutes and doesn’t know what to say but then she smiles and says “I love you too.” Saifur is so happy and he almost hugs her but then he controls himself.
-“Saifur, ami jai?” Saifur is left a little bit shocked but smiles and says “Ok.” Rifah hurriedly goes back to hostel where the others girls are waiting.
-“Rifah, ki hoise?” said Tasfia as she came in.
-“You guys know what, Saifur proposed me.”
-“Amra jani.” Toree gives a grin.
-“Mane ki? Tomra janta but still amake bolo nai?”
-“Mane ki Rifah? Tui ki Saifur ke love korish na?” Nishat suddenly became serious.
-“Na ota na. I love him but I am confused. And I said yes.”
-“Ki bolish?” Arpa is shocked.
-“Dekh ami Saifur ke hurt korte chai ni.”
-“Rifah? Tui thik janish na tui Saifur ke love korish naki na and you accepted it jate Saifur na hurt hoye ar o jokhon janbe tui oke kan accept korsish o khub khushi hobe tai na?” Tasfia said a little irritated.
-The girls are just very much shocked. What they thought and what happened?
-The next day however, Rifah is in a complete different type. “Dost tora janish Saifur is not really bad.” Saying this Rifah just blushes and leaves. The girls are super excited to know that Rifah too has started liking Saifur!
- So happy ending for Saifur Rifah. 
+The story details the relationships of these three and Mahendra's best friend Bihari as they deal with issues like distrust, adultery, lies, and numerous problems between them.
-After Rifah and Saifur’s happy ending, the story will now start again.
-Note: The main focus will be on Jamee and Nafees – a new boy.
+Binodini is a convent educated young girl who has been widowed and hence reduced to living very badly (like all widows of that period). Her husband had died soon after their marriage. When Rajlakshmi, a wealthy widow living in Calcutta, invites Binodini to stay with them, Binodini accepts.
-It’s about 22 days earlier before exams when Jamee called the group and informed them that her sister has got married and she will come back to London within 2 days. They are all very happy and told Jamee the happy news about Saifur and Rifah. She too is excited like them.
-After two days
+Initially, Rajlakshmi's son Mahendra is besotten with his wife and forgets the world for her but after Binodini arrives, Mahendra and Binodini begin to have an affair.
-Everyone is waiting in the airport for Jamee. She came and smiled at them.
-“Kemon asish dost?” Rifah ran and hug her.
-“Fine.” Jamee smiled at her. Everyone else then slowly came and they all moved back to the car while talking with Jamee about her sister’s wedding.
-“Amar boner biyer bapare to ekhon khub janla.” Jamee said when she enters the hostel room with the boys and other girls, “Now, it’s time to know about Saifur and Rifah.” Jamee raises her eyebrows and looks meaningfully at them. Everyone else also turns to them. It’s been 4 days back that they confessed and till now they haven’t even teased them. Now it’s the time!
-“Asholei, amrao ektu shuni propose kemne korsila Saifur?” Tasfia said.
-“Oma eta kemon proshno…jemne propose kore temne korsi.” Saifur said triumphantly.
-“Oma, eta kemon answer…valo vabe answer dao, amra kintu charbo na.” Jamee said.
-“Ok fine. Saifur called me in a river place, decorate the place with flowers and leaves and just brought out a ring and proposed me.” Rifah said as if it was nothing.
-“Rifah, why are you saying like that?” Monzer asked.
-“Ha, as if eta tomar kase kono bapari na.” Rafin said.
-The boys and Jamee look at Rifah while the girls who knew much about how Rifah agreed to accept Saifur just kept quiet. Most probably Rifah till now hasn’t accepted him like they wanted.
-“Forget it. Jamee won’t you show us your sister’s wedding pictures?” Toree said.
-“Yeah sure.” Jamee brought out her camera from her bag and showed them her sister’s wedding pictures.
-After 2 months
-Everyone is very tensed because today the results will be out. Tasfia and Nishat went to check the results. Here are the results of them.
-Girls: Nishat (2nd with 96% marks), Tasfia (4th with 92% marks), Rifah (8th with 84% marks), Toree (10th with 80% marks), Jamee (16th with 68% marks) and Arpa (18th with 64% marks).
-Boys: Saifur (1st with 98% marks), Monzer (6th with 88% marks), Meehal (12th with 76% marks), Shamanin (14th with 72% marks) and Rafin (20th with 60% marks).
-Jamee had scored that much as she thought after missing some very important classes but Rafin scored very poor and was extremely upset about it. Arpa also scored less and like Rafin was pretty upset on it. Not only did they score less than his friends but also scored 2nd and 4th least among all the other students as there are 21 students but now it won’t be as a new boy Nafees soon entered 2nd year University.
-Nafees’s entry
-Nafees’s entry was totally normal. He came in the University and the teacher introduced him like a class – 5 student. After regular class, the group was talking in the canteen when Nafees entered. All chairs were taken except one of the gang’s chair. So they called him and told him to sit there.
-“Your name is Nafees, right?” Tasfia said.
-“Yeah.”
-“From Bangladesh.” Jamee asked. She was quite sure but just asked normally. Nafees looked at Jamee for the first time. Seeing her don’t know why he suddenly got a flat smile on his face.
-“Ha. Tomar nam?”
-“Fairuz but everyone calls me Jamee.”
-“Jamee to cheleder nam.”
-“Ha but era dake. Ask them.” Jamee smiled. Seeing her smile, Nafees just felt that all his worries have driven away with Jamee’s smile.
-“Tomader kotha shesh hole may we introduce ourselves too.” Toree laughed.
-“Sure.” Jamee laughed too.
-Few days passed normally. Meanwhile, Nafees had become very close to the gang especially Jamee. Everyone noticed that Nafees felt something for Jamee. Nafees became a part of their gang and stayed with the boys in their hostel. He shared his room with Shamanin. One night, while talking with Nafees, Shamanin brought out the topic of Jamee.
-“Nafees, tui to amader besh close hoye gesish, Jamee ro.” Shamanin started.
-“Jamee ro mane?”
-“Kan Jameer nam nite pari na?”
-“Na ota na…shobar nam rekhe Jameer nam?”
-“Shobar nam rekhe ek joner nam to nitei hobe.”
-“Accha ami ektu washroom e jai.”
-“Dara Nafees. Amra jani je tui Jamee ke love korish.” Nafees left just shocked. “Toke…eta…ke bollo?” he said hesitatingly.
-“Karo bola lagbe na. Amra jani.”
-“Ha, I love Jamee but Jamee mone hoy na amake love kore.”
-“Toke eta ke bollo?”
-“Ami dekhsi re, Jamee amake or friend mane, nothing more.”
-“Ok toke kisu kora lagbe na….tui Jamee ke 4 months dhore chinish ar amra 2 bojhor…Jameer likes, dislikes amra tor cheye beshi jani so just keep quiet and sleep.”
-That night, all the friends planned and talked about it and then came up with a plan. The friends decided to have a party. Just before going to the party, the girls told Jamee everything. How much Nafees liked her. Jamee just blushed hearing all that and agreed that she too love Nafees.
-In the party
-Nafees is very tensed. He doesn’t know how to propose Jamee. He is still very scared. Did she say yes to the other girls? When Jamee comes there, he is too scared even to face her. But it’s the other boys who force him.
-“Hi.” Nafees said with sweats to Jamee.
-“Hi.” Jamee smiled. Seeing her smile, Nafees knows Jamee have said ‘yes’. So this time without any more trouble, he bends down and proposes Jamee. And unlike Rifah, Jamee accepts it with her heart.
-So a happy ending for Jamee –Nafees as well. 
 == Critical acclaim ==