Chokher Bali (চোখের বালি) is a 1903 Bengali novel by Rabindranath Tagore that revolves around the central character Binodini and her relationships with three individuals. Chokher Bali is a novel that explores the themes of love, betrayal, and societal norms in 19th century Bengal. The novel features complex and multifaceted characters, symbolism, and a tragic ending that challenges the reader to question the role of women and the influence of Western culture in Indian society. At its core, Chokher Bali dives deep into the themes of forbidden desire, betrayal, and the suffocating expectations placed on women. What made this more striking was how Tagore portrayed Binodini’s emotional needs not as scandalous, but as human. The title itself is symbolic. Chokher Bali (lit. sand in the eye, fig. constant irritant) is a 2003 Indian Bengali language drama film based on the 1903 novel Chokher Bali by Rabindranath Tagore.
