One day, a young woman named Aparna arrived in Nandigram, seeking Srikanta's help. She was torn between two loves: her childhood sweetheart, the charming but aimless Raja, and the brooding, introspective artist, Shivaji. Aparna was convinced that Srikanta could help her unravel the tangled threads of her heart.

"The heart is a canvas, painted with the colors of our experiences. The question is, Aparna, which colors do you wish to retain, and which do you wish to let fade?"

One of the most revolutionary aspects of the novel is how Srikanta’s character serves as a foil to the strong-willed women he encounters. Authors and researchers from ResearchGate note that Sarat Chandra used the novel to deconstruct patriarchal binaries.