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: “Alam’s Own House” is a notable short story by the Indian writer Dibyendu Palit. He is a notable writer of Bengali poems, novels and short stories. In his short story, “Alam's Own House” we can find an interesting concept of ‘home’. Most of the events of the story are set after the partition of Bengal in 1905.

Unfortunately, at the time of the partition of Bengal, millions of people were displaced from their homes. Alarm, the protagonist, is one of these people. He was born in Calcutta, but his family moved to Dhaka after the partition. Unluckily, Alam never showed sympathy for his home in Dhaka. Rather, he always longed to return to Calcutta.

In this story the readers will find various themes, like the themes of nostalgia, themes of past memory etc. Alan’s memories of his childhood home are filled with nostalgia. He often finds himself in a reverie. However, the story suggests that nostalgia can be a dangerous thing as it can prevent us from fully living in the present.

In this story, the readers will find the idea of ‘home’. It is a state of mind. It is a heartfelt sense of belonging and connection. For Alam, the scene of ‘home’ is reflected in the love of a woman named Raka. Raka is from Calcutta. Alam feels a strong connection to her and to her city. When he visits Calcutta, he feels a sense of peace. This sense of feelings he never finds 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. His kathchanpa tree has been cut down. He used to climb in that tree in his childhood. Alam also learns that his childhood friend, Raka has married someone else.

However, Alam’s experience of home is stored 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 shows the different ways of how people experience ‘home’. For Alarm, ‘home’ is not only a physical place, but it is also a state of mind. He feels a homely affection 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.

Actually, “Alam’s Own House” is a story about the search for a home. It is a story about loss, longing and the power of memory. It is also a story about the importance of home, where we can feel loved, accepted and also connected to each of the members of the ‘home’.

The story ends with Alam when he leaves Calcutta and returns 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 it is also a state of mind. It is a place where we feel loved, accepted and connected. For Alam, ‘home’ is both the house in which he grew up and also the city of Calcutta.

Thus, the concept of ‘home’ in this story “Alam’s Own House” has diverse perspectives. On the one hand, the story shows the physical reality of the ‘home’ where Alam grew up. There he had many happy memories. On the other hand, the ‘home’ is a symbol of stability and security. It is a place of Alam’s early childhood memories.

However, the ‘home’ is a remainder of the partition of Bengal. It forced Alam's family to leave their home and move to Dhaka. This event had a profound impact on Alam. Unhappily, he never fully felt at home in Dhaka.

Short Questions and Answers

Q 1: Who is the author of the story "Alam's Own House"?

Answer: The author of the story "Alam's Own House" is Dibyendu Palit, a famous Bengali novelist, poet and short storyteller.

Q 2: What is the main theme of this story?

Answer: The main theme of this story is the concept of 'House', which is not only a physical place but also a mental state. This story highlights subjects like displacement, memory, home search and mental attachment.

Q 3: What does 'House' mean in the story?

Answer: 'House' in the story is not just an ordinary house, but a place where a person experiences love, belonging and mental peace. It is an emotional connection and place of identity.

Q 4: Where was Alam born and where did his family go after Partition?

Answer: Alam was born in Kolkata, but after the partition of Bengal (1905), his family went to Dhaka.

Q 5: Why did Alam not like Dhaka?

Answer: Alam never liked Dhaka because he was extremely emotional towards Kolkata's memories and his old house. In Dhaka, he never felt herself like a 'house'.

Q 6: Who was Raka and what does she show in the story?

Answer: Raka was Alam had a childhood friend and girlfriend, who lived in Kolkata. Raka becomes a symbol of 'home' and mental peace for Alam.

Q 7: What do Alam experience when returning to Kolkata?

Answer: On returning to Kolkata, Alam finds out that his old house has changed - he is now divided into two flats, his beloved Katchanpa tree has been cut and Raka has married someone else. He gets very disappointed after seeing all this.

Q 8: How is the story 'Nostalgia', that is, the memories of the past?

Answer: Alam in the story constantly remembers his childhood, old house and time spent with Raka. This nostalgia prevents him from living in the present and has a profound impact on his feelings.

Q 9: How does the story end?

Answer: The story ends with the fact that Alam returns to Dhaka again. He still does not know where his real 'house' is, but the memories of Kolkata will always remain in his heart.

Q 10: What is the main message of the story "Alam's Own House"?

Answer: The main message of this story is that 'home' is not only a brick-stone structure, but it is a symbol of a feeling, memories and belonging. This connects us with our past, relationships and identity.

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