Ocean of Melancholy

-A tragic historical novel, with mythical dimension and epic narrative, based on the battle of Karbala that took place on 10th October AD 680

-The day of the battle of Karbala is now observed as Muharram, in the memory of the martyrdom of Prophet Muhammad's grandsons Hassan and Hussein

-The text, being dramatic, is performed regularly during the month of Muharram every year in many parts of Bangladesh, accompanied by music and dance

One of the best known works of Mir Mosharraf Hossain, Bishad Sindhu (Ocean of Melancholy) is an epic historical novel centered around events that led to the battle of Karbala and its aftermath. The book revolves around the tragic story of Hassan and Hussein, grandsons of the great Prophet Muhammad, who were exterminated by their bitter enemy Yazid, the son of the king of Damascus, for his desire for Zainab - Hassan's beautiful wife - and his greed for the throne of Medina.

The plot is dramatic, has a mythical undertone to it, and deeds of heroism and supernatural occurrences render an epic flavor to its narrative. The storyline explores the sufferings and agonies of human life and the covetousness and hatred of men, and, at the same time, imparts a historical background to the bloodbath and killings that took place in Karbala, Iraq on the 10th of October, AD 680.