Early 19th century, Bengali novels portrayed two worlds : (i) Love stories based on historical events, and (ii) The inner world of domestic life, social problems and man-woman relationship in marriage. The old rich elite of Calcutta liked and patronised early forms of entertainment such as Kabir Larai and musical soirees and dance performances. The new ‘Bhadralok’ preferred reading novels in their own private world. Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay was the first to arrange a reading of his novel Durgeshnandini (1865) in his own room, before a small group of friends. Bankim’s novel used a colloquial style, used meyeli associated with women’s speech. The style was the vernacular style.It was appreciated as much as the plot with its twists and turns; Bankim made best of both the worlds. He used to hold jatras in the courtyard before family members and private reading of his novel in his private room.