Bhikhari Thakur’s Bidesiya

Bhikhari Thakur is an eminent writer of Bhojpuri literature. His seminal literary work Bidesiya depicts migration, poverty and the condition of women in the twentieth century Bhojpuri society. The protagonist, Bidesi, travels to Calcutta despite unwillingness of his wife, Pyari Sundari and leaves her alone at his native village. He is entangled in the brilliance and captivating culture of the city and establishes intimate relationship with a harlot. He becomes oblivious of his wife whereas his wife bears agony of separation from her husband and yearns passionately for his early return. One day, she meets Batohi and describes to him her immense sufferings and endless wait for her husband. Batohi sets out for Calcutta, searches Bidesi and reports to him the love, longing and patient sufferings of his devoted wife at his native village. Bidesi is emotionally touched hearing her message and returns to his wife in spite of intervention of the harlot. The harlot also arrives with her children at Bidesi's house and all begin to live in harmony. Bidesiya showcases anxieties and challenges women encounter in social order with manifold disparities and injustices. The English translation of this masterpiece gives it global domain which is confined to a limited cultural and linguistic boundary.