Rumi - Ek Aaina Si Zindagi

Rabishankar Bal’s novel “Rumi – Ek Aaina Si Zindagi” portrays the spiritual revolution that transformed Jalaluddin Balkhi into Maulana Rumi. The work offers a fresh interpretation of the centuries-spanning influence of the Masnavi and Rumi’s poetry. Exploring the turning points of love, separation, and creative passion in Rumi’s life, the book delves deep into the layers of his inner world. Narrated through the gaze of Ibn Battuta, this account conveys the soul’s yearning for a “Ghar Wapsi”. The book preserves within itself that pain and quest which calls the human being back toward their true homeland. Rabishankar Bal (1962–2017) was among the renowned short story writers of Bengali literature, whose creative work spanned over three decades. He wrote more than fifteen novels, several collections of short stories and poetry, as well as non-fiction works. He also made significant contributions through the selection and translation of Saadat Hasan Manto’s chosen writings. His celebrated novel Dozakhnama was honored with the Bankimchandra Smriti Award (2011). The English translations of his works Dozakhnama and Aaina Jeevan were also widely appreciated. This novel has been translated from the Bengali by well known translator Amrita Bera.