In the early 20th century, when feminism was still a fledgling movement in India, a woman initiating a live-in relationship with a man was considered sacrilege. Srikanta, Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's protagonist in the eponymous novel, too, was a product of this time. But when he presents his orthodox opinion on Abhaya's decision, she defuses every argument with intelligent responses.

A scene from the play