''Lalsalu'' is a novel by

Syed Waliullah Syed Waliullah (August 15, 1922 – October 10, 1971) was a Bangladeshi novelist, short-story writer and playwright. He was notable for his debut novel, '' Lalsalu'' (translated in English with the title ''"Tree Without Roots"''). He was awarded ...

published in 1948 by Comrade publishers. It is a classic of modern

Bengali literature Bengali literature () denotes the body of writings in the Bengali language and which covers Old Bengali, Middle Bengali and Modern Bengali with the changes through the passage of time and dynastic patronization or non-patronization. Bengali h ...

. Waliullah was conferred Bangla Academy Award for this

debut novel A debut novel is the first novel a novelist publishes. Debut novels are often the author's first opportunity to make an impact on the publishing industry, and thus the success or failure of a debut novel can affect the ability of the author to pu ...

in 1961. By 1981 the book's 10th edition was published.

Plot summary

The novel starts with the description of Mohobbotnagar village and the difficulties of village life. A clever man named Majid arrives in the village and realizes that most of the men in the village are simple minded and can easily be fooled through religious superstitions. Majid starts scolding the villagers claiming that they haven't taken care of the grave of the Mudassir Pir (which literally means unknown holyman) and tells them a made up story of a pir (Religious magician) showed him a dream that his grave is not being taken care of and that the people of that area are sinners. Almost every one of the village believed Majid's story including the so-called head of the village, Khalek Bepari. Majid makes a good impression on everyone in the village including Khalek Bepari. The villagers repaired the grave, made a majar (Shrine) and a house for Majid. Majid then starts living there and becomes wealthy by fooling the people of the village with the means of fake religious teachings. Majid also marries Rahima, a widowed lady who is an obedient wife. Majid faces many problems as few people go against him such as Hasuni's grandfather, Khalek Bepari's senior wife, Akkas Mia for establishing a school and the arrival of a great Pir in Awalpur. But very cunningly he solves all these problems. Majid later also marries a teen girl named Jamila (as a second wife), who later on get punished for going against Majid's false teachings which results her being tied up near the holy shrine. Majid's true character is slowly revealed throughout the story but the villagers are too simple-minded to understand his tricks from the very beginning.

Reception

The novel was translated to English by the author himself with the title "Tree Without Roots" in 1967 by Chatto and Windus Ltd''. The French translation was made by the author's wife Anne Marie Thibaud with the title "''L'arbre sans racines" by Editions du Seuil''. Besides, the book was translated in Urdu, Czech and German languages.

Adaptation

The book was made into the well-received 2001 film with the same title, starring

Raisul Islam Asad Asaduzzaman Mohammad Raisul Islam (known as Raisul Islam Asad; born 15 July 1953) is a Bangladeshi freedom fighter and an actor in radio, theatre, television and film. He won Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Actor four times for his roles ...

. The film was directed and produced by Tanvir Mokammel. In 2003, the film earned eight Bangladesh National Film Awards, including the Best Film.

References

{{Authority control 1948 novels Bengali-language novels 1948 debut novels