Chokher Bali, with its daring and avant - grade themes, was first published serially in Bangadarshan, the Bengali literary magazine. On one level, the story is that of a ménage a trios. Mahindra is besotted with his wife Ashalata. Binodini, an exquisitely beautiful young widow, and possessed of a sparking mind, comes to live in Mahindra’s house. On witnessing the intense love between Mahindra and his wife, Binodini’s repressed sexuality is inflamed. She manages to captivate Mahindra and gradually alienates him from his wife. At another level, the story traces the interplay between three women, Mahindra’s mother Rajalakshmi, Ashalata and Binodini. A devoted mother who is jealous of her daughter-law, Rajalakshmi widens the rupture between Mahindra and Ashalata.