Online Children's Bengali Magazine Joydhak's Winter issue published.
A COMMUNITY BLOG OF BENGALI IN MADHYA PRADESH. This blog is better visible in Firefox.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
BANGLA UTSAV 2011 FINALISED!
BANGLA UTSAV FINALISED !
In a recent development, Madhya Pradesh Bangiya Parishad has finalised its’ project Bangla Utsav 2011 today.
This event aims to showcase and highlight the Bengali culture and traditions and to provide a common platform of the Bengalees settled in Central India. This kind of objective is to be considered as first ever effort to enrich and add values to the Bengali tradition and practices. The dates of this festival would be chosen any three days between April 1 & 4 next year at Rabindra Bhavan, Bhopal.
Mr. Salil Chatterjee, Secretary, Mr. Nikhil Das, Vice-president, Mr. A K Bhattacharyya, Prsident, Ms. Shipra Bhattacharyya, Convener (Left to right), in a meeting to finalise Bangla Utsav 2011 at Kerwa Eco-Tourism Centre, Bhopal on 12.12.2010 - Photo Sauvik Acharyya
In this event there will be delicious food stalls, stalls of handicrafts and various traditional and ethnic items, Books, audio-video from Bengal along with thoughtful discussions on attentive issues related to the Bengalees along with cultural events of artists from entire Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal.
The details of the meeting, however, are expected soon.
Few images of participants in the meeting - Photo Sauvik Acharyya
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
PRAGYAN MUKHERJEE PASSED AWAY
PRAGNYA MUKHERJEE PASSED AWAY
Pragnya Mukherjee, wife of Late Shashanka Mukherjee passed away yesterday at Bhopal after a prolonged illness. Her funeral and last rituals would be performed at Shubhasnagar Bishram Ghat today.
A prominent personality, writer, social worker and actor in the recent past, Pragynya Mukherjee was one of those Bengali at Bhopal, when newly made Madhya Pradesh State was started functioning. A strong symbol of Women Empowerment, she was also an active member of Bharat Sevashram Sangha along with her husband Late Shashanka Mukherjee. Pragnya Mukherjee was also one of the founder members of Mahila Samiti, Bhopal.
Monday, November 22, 2010
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Thursday, November 18, 2010
MEMORIES OF 2010 DURGA PUJA RELEASED
MEMORIES OF DURGA PUJA 2010 RELEASED!
Glimpse and memories of Durga Puja 2010 organised by T T Nagar Bengali Association, Bhopal has released yesterday.
A grand Bijoya Sammiloni 2010 was organised by the Association last night and many Bengalis came to refresh their memories. This DVD is available after few days after booking. For further details, interested persons may call Mr. Salil Chatterjee, Secretary, Bengali Association on 9425411264.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
News
34th Issue of JOYDHAK Released.
The 34th issue of Bengali webzine "JOYDHAK" has been published and uploaded. You may like to see.
The weblink is: www.joydhak.com
JOYDHAK is a Bengali quarterly web magazine oriented towards pre-teens, teens and the youth. Readers can also download its’ PDF version for comfortable reading; and the PDF version of the magazine is available in the home page of joudhak.com, free! You may store the magazine in your PC or print out a full color version of it. This is freely distributable also as long as you do not charge anybody for it.
Get up with free time to see it and happen to like it!
Happy reading!
Happy reading!
Monday, October 18, 2010
DURGA PUJA 2010
THE LAST JOURNEY !
'Sindoor Khela' a traditional rituals in Bengali women is being performed at T T Nagar Kalibari at Sharod Utasv 2010. Noted personality Jaya Bachhan was also present in this occasion. Photo: Abhijit Sarkar.
Sindoor Khela at Dashami. Photo: Abhijit Sarkar
Saturday, October 16, 2010
ANOTHER MILESTONE OF T T NAGAR KALIBARI
T T NAGAR BENGALI ASSOCIATION
HAS BAGGED BEST DURGA IDOL IN THE CITY
Glittering Maa Dura at T T Nagar Kali Bari
Puja Pandal at T T Nagar Kalibari
Friday, October 15, 2010
DURGA PUJA 2110
BEAUTIFUL DURGA IDOL OF
ARERA DURGOTSAV SAMITI, ARERA CONOLY, BHOPAL
Thursday, October 14, 2010
DURGA PUJA 2010
DURGA PUJA 2010 CLICK
Durga Idol at BHEL Kali Bari organized by Bangiya Sanskritik Parishad, Bhopal
An outer vision of Puja Pandal at BHEL Kalibari
Saturday, October 9, 2010
KOUSHIK WILL BUZZ AT TT NAGAR THIS DURGA PUJA
YOUNG KOUSHIK WILL BUZZ AT T T NAGAR BENGALI ASSOCIATION
THIS YEAR'S DURGA PUJA
Young Koushik, Star Plus Amul Star Voice of India would perform a Bengali musical night this Durgapuja at The Bengali Asscoiation's T T Nagar Kali bari. This talent has already done few memorable relases along with Alka Yagnik, Sreya Ghosal, Udit Narayan, KK, Sonu Nigam. Also has memorable playback in five Bengali movies.
Be there!
Friday, October 8, 2010
DURGA PUJA INVITATION CARD 2010
DURGA PUJA INVITATION CARD 2010
OF THE BENGALI CLUB & SCHOOL, INDORE
Thursday, October 7, 2010
DURGA PUJA INVITATION CARD 2010
DURGA PUJA INVITATION CARD 2010
BANGIYA SANSKRITIK PARISHAD, BHEL, BHOPAL
Monday, September 27, 2010
INVITING ENTRIES FOR LOGO CREATION
INVITING ENTRIES FOR LOGO CREATION
Arera Bangiya Parishad, a registered Bengali Community of Arera Colony, Bhopal invites entries to create a logo. The logo should symbolize the strength, Indianness and inner beauty of Bengali Culture.
Arera Bangiya Parishad, a registered Bengali Community of Arera Colony, Bhopal invites entries to create a logo. The logo should symbolize the strength, Indianness and inner beauty of Bengali Culture.
..........................................................................................
Maximum size: 4” x 4”
Medium: Any
Age limit for participation: no bar
Last date of submission: 10th October 2010
...........................................................................................
Entries to be submitted to Ms. Shipra Bhattacharya, E-1/153 Arera Colony, Bhopal 462016, Madhya Pradesh
Result will be declared at the Durga Festival on the Old Campion School grounds on 13th October at 9 P.M. The winner of the selected logo will be awarded a cash prize.
Executive committee of the Parishad shall be the final deciding authority and the committee reserves the right to reject any submission.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
DURGA PUJA : AN INSIDE VIEW
H I S T O R Y O F D U R G A P U J A
Compiled by Santanu Chakaborty
Durga Puja also known as Durgotsab is an annual Hindu festival which celebrates worship of the Hindu goddess of power, Durga or Shakti. It is a nine days affair in which last six days are observed with complex rituals and intricate ceremonies as Mahalaya, Shashthi, Maha Saptami, Maha Ashtami, Maha Nabami and Bijoya Dashami. The dates of Durga Puja celebrations are decided according to traditional Hindu calendar and generally fall between the months of September to November according to the Gregorian calendar. It is extensively celebrated in the Northern and Eastern states of India- West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa and Tripura. Apart from these places states like Delhi,Haryana, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab, Kashmir, Karnataka and Kerala also enthusiastically participate in the festival.
Durga Puja has always been an integral part of the Hindu culture. However, the origin of public celebrations of grand Durga Puja can be traced back to the 16th century. With the ascent of the Mughals, Durga Puja became more of a status symbol in those days. Grand celebrations, gala feasts and huge fan fare was part of the very first 'Sharadiya Durgotsab' festivals organized by Raja Kangshanarayan of Taherpur and Bhabananda Mazumdar of Nadiya in 1606. Annual festival of Durga Puja soon became the most celebrated festival and as a day for merriment with friends, relatives, neighbors and acquaintances. Opulence and extravagance became an inseparable part among the powerful and rich Bengalis. However, there were people who celebrated Durga Puja on their household level in a traditional manner, which were characterized by much more devotion and sentiments attached to the festival than the mere show off of the richer and more prosperous people.
Some of the households have been holding these celebrations for more than 250 years now and take pride in the fact of how old is their traditional worshipping set up. With time many cultural performances and shows became attached to Durga Puja for entertainment and religious purposes such as colorful procession known as 'Jatra', puppet dance, Kobi gaan (a type of songs), Kirtan or devotional songs and magic shows that are the favorites of the children and adults alike. Earlier, animal and even human sacrifices were very common on the eighth day of the festival but eventually; this tradition has now become obsolete. There was an additional custom of 'Baroyari' meaning a group of twelve friends that originated in 1790 in Guptipara in Hoogly in Bengal. It is also known as 'Sarbojanin puja'. Today, it has reached the masses of West Bengal and various parts of India and we can witness innumerable small-scale and grand-scale community pujas, flooded with funds with huge pandals and affluent decor.
MAHALAYA
People offering 'tarpan' in memory of their deceased forefathers.
Mahalaya ushers in the aura of Durga Puja. The countdown for the Durga Puja begins much earlier, from the day of 'Janmastami'. It is only from the day of Mahalaya that the preparations for the Durga Puja reaches the final stage. The midnight chants of various hymns of 'Mahishasura Mardini' reminds one of the beginning of Durga Puja.
Mahalaya is an auspicious occasion observed seven days before the Durga Puja, and heralds the advent of Durga, the goddess of supreme power. It's a kind of invocation or invitation to the mother goddess to descend on earth - "Jago Tumi Jago". This is done through the chanting of mantras and singing devotional songs.
The day of Mahalaya is also the day of remembrance. On this day, people offer 'tarpan' in memory of their deceased forefathers. The banks of River Ganga becomes a sea of humanity. Priests are seen busy performing 'Tarpan' for devotees in groups. The rituals start from early down and end during the midday. Devotees and worshipers buy clothes and sweets to offer to their forefathers. 'Tarpan' is to be performed in empty stomach. After offering 'tarpan', people eat at the same place.
Monday, September 20, 2010
MINUTES OF AGM HELD ON 05.09.2010
TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL BODY MEETING HELD ON 05-09-10
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL BODY MEETING HELD ON 05-09-10
General Secretary Salil Chatterjee welcomed all the participating members for attending the meeting. With the permission of the President, Ashok Ganguly the proceedings started as per Agenda circulated through notice on 20-08-10.
Before proceeding with the Agenda the House stood up and paid Homage to the departed soul of Late Bina Bose – Life Member and wife of Late Dr Saroj Kanti Bose – our Founder President and Mother of our member Shri Rupok Bose. Secretary also informed of the ill health of our another very senior Life Member Shri Shashanko Mukherjee .(Shri Mukherjee’s body has also since left for heavenly abode on 09-09-10) The house was also appraised of the health condition of Shri Deepu Das admitted with BHRMC. Thereafter the Agenda points were taken up.
Agenda No 1
The House unanimously confirmed the Election of the Governing Body - election to which was held on 07-03-10 for the next Three years i.e 2010 – 2013. Secretary then informed the House of the Election of the Key Office Bearers in the EC meeting held on 11.04.10.
- President : Shri Ashok Ganguly
- Vice President : Dr. Dilip Kumar Bannerjee
- General Secretary : Shri Salil Chatterjee
- Joint Secretaries (2) : Shri Jai Chatterjee and Shri Shuvomoy Ganguly
- Treasurer : Shri Prakash Sarkar
- Sub- Treasurer : Shri Moloy Dey
Secretary thereafter informed the House about Co-option of Shri Diptak Sinha to the Executive Committee. The House approved both the proceedings of the EC.
The 2nd Agenda was to pass the Accounts of the Association for the year 2009-10. Treasurer Shri Prakash Sarkar read out the entire accounts Head Wise. The members sought certain clarifications which was attended to satisfactorily and the points raised were recorded for future compliance. The House thereafter passed the Accounts unanimously.
Agenda No. 3
Election of Office Bearers for Pooja 2010. After due proposing the following Office Bearers were elected and approved by the House.
President
Shri M.K Roy IAS – Addl.Chief Secretary, Govt. of MP
Secretary
Shri Rupam Ganguly
Treasurer
Shri Salil Chatterjee & Shri Prakash Sarkar
Cultural & Decoration
Shri Diptak Sinha
Bhog
Shri Dilip Dasgupta
Anand Mela/Exhibition
Shri Lai Chatterjee, Shubomoy Ganguly & Aveek Biswas
Marketing & Fund raising
Shri Aveek Biswas & Shri Promit Dasgupta
Security
Shri Manojit Bhattacharya
Souvenir
Shri B. K Ganguly, Shri Shantanu Chakraborty,
Shri Sanad Chatterjee & Shri Sauvik Acharyya.
Secretary further informed the House that this year Bengali Mahila Samiti Members shall be requested to take care of the Pooja formalities to which the House agreed and asked the Secretary to formally request the Samiti through Smt Ashima Mukherjee Secretary of the Samiti. Smt Indira Bhaduri- President of the Samiti who was present in the meeting gave her formal consent and also gave suggestions for improvement.
While deliberating further on the Pooja preparations it was felt that members should contribute more towards Pooja donation as we take only once a year for all the celeberations held during the whole year . It was suggested by the House to approach the honourable members and request them to donate Rs.1000/- or more per family. Members were also requested to volunteer for ‘CHANDA’ collection and for other Pooja activities and ensure that maximum number of people are approached.
Agenda No. 4
The House was informed of the resolution passed by the EC in their meeting held on 09-05-10 regarding changes proposed in the Constitution with regard to membership fees. Hereafter all members to be enrolled as LIFE MEMBERS only by paying a ONE TIME FEE of Rs. 1500/- . Old Members to pay Rs. 1000/-only as Rs.500/- already paid by them before Elections held on 07-03-10. The House approved the resolution of the EC unanimously.
President Shri Ashok Ganguly requested that this change was made so as to enroll as many members possible and broaden our Membership base which is very low as on date. This will also help to resolve the problem of lapsing of membership i.e hereafter ONCE A MEMBER ALWAYS A MEMBER. By this approach more members can be involved into the Association Activities.
Agenda No. 5 : Any Other Issues
President Shri Ashok Ganguly requested that this change was made so as to enroll as many members possible and broaden our Membership base which is very low as on date. This will also help to resolve the problem of lapsing of membership i.e hereafter ONCE A MEMBER ALWAYS A MEMBER. By this approach more members can be involved into the Association Activities.
Agenda No. 5 : Any Other Issues
- With the permission of the Chair, Secretary gave a detail of the Activities undertaken and Achievements of the Association since election of the new EC on 07-03-10.
A Hawan conducted for Peace, Prosperity and all round Development. - Association’s Web – Site launched on 17-04-10 under the name KISHOLOY.COM. Also a BLOG has been started. Members were requested to open the same and give their suggestions and inputs so that it can be updated with latest developments.
- Celeberation of New year – Poila Baishak on 17-04-10 and Rabindra Jayanti on 15-05-10.
- Function held on 08-05-10 for Medical Check Up under the guidance of Dr. Nolok Bannerjee and Doctors working with our Netaji Subhash Charitable Clinic for the Women of Old Age Home ‘AASRA’. Smt. Krishna Gaur, Mayor Bhopal was the Chief Guest. Sarees were also distributed on the occasion by the Members of the Bengali Mahila Samiti, Bhopal.
- Lease Deed of the Association renewed and further extended for 30 years.
- Income Tax approval of 12 A certificate received. With this all donations received by the Association is exempted from Tax. Also 80G approval likely to be received shortly. With 80G approval all Donors can seek Tax Exemption as per rules while filing their Tax Returns. This shall give a boost to our Fund Collection for all our development work. Donors can be from within the country or abroad. Members were requested to identify such persons who donate liberally for Charity work.
- It was informed that our Ex-Priest Shri Bachaspati Mishra has since vacated the Priest accomodation and left for his Home Town. The House asked the Secretary to take possession of the house and after proper renovation and white washing the same may be provided to the Two Priests.
OTHER DEVELOPMENT WORKS
Secretary informed the House that due to Lease Deed having expired we were not able to undertake any development or construction work of the Temple or other civil construction. Now that the Lese Deed has been extended Executive Committee had approved and passed a resolution for total reconstruction of the Temple by relocating and rebuilding the Temple. This has been done for proper space utilization and further expanding our Charitable and Cultural Activities. To get the job done the committee has engaged the services of Shri Ashish Bhattacharya of Designing Cell- Bhopal to prepare a Map and Estimate. After proper Govt. approval the construction work shall be taken on hand. Shri Bhattacharya was called to the dias and requested to explain to the House the entire plan. The House unanimously approved the plan and also gave suggestions for improvement. President requested the members to come forward for fund raising for this Mega Project and requested for involvement of all.
The President thereafter thanked the entire House for their all round support and involvement to the Executive Committee and for their showing interest in all the development activities taken up by the Association.
The meeting ended with Vote Of Thanks from the Secretary.
General Secretary President
General Secretary President
Friday, September 17, 2010
A KIRTAN EVENING AT T. T. NAGAR KALIBARI
Representatives of Bharat Sevashram Sangha from Kolkata will perform a Kirtan evening on Friday, September 17, 2010 at 7:00 in the evening at T T Nagar Bengali Association’s Kali Bari premises.
Bharat Sevashram Sangha is a philanthropic and charitable organization with a firm and enduring commitment to improving the lives of the underprivileged. This guiding principle of concern for the weak and deprived citizens has been the force empowering our members to dedicate their lives to serving humanity.
Bharat Sevashram Sangha is a vast network of volunteers across the globe dedicated to helping people in distress. The Sangha's social welfare activities include disaster relief, spreading education, providing healthcare facilities, vocational training and upliftment of the tribal.
T T Nagar Bengali Association have requested to all devotees to participate on a large basis to make this event successful.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
MADHURA GOT NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP 2010
MADHURA GOT NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP 2010
Madhura Chattopadhyay, daughter of Mr. Indranil Chattopadhyay, a residence of BHEL, Bhopal area has bagged the prestigious CCRT Scholarship in Classical Dance category for the year 2010. She has an outstanding mark in BHARATANATYAM.
The Cultural Talent Search Scholarship Scheme aims at providing facilities to outstanding young children to develop their talents in various artistic fields. Children in the age group of 10 to 14 years studying either in recognized schools or belonging to families practicing traditional art forms are eligible for the scholarship.
In 1982, the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) took over the Cultural Talent Search Scholarship Scheme from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India in which initially 100 talented students in the field of arts and crafts were identified from all parts of the country and provided with scholarship. Considering the vastness of this country and the talent that is available, the scholarship was increased from 100 to 300 each year from 1984.
The Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) provides 500 new scholarships each year, out of which minimum 5 seats each are reserved for all the states and at least 3 each for all the Union Territories. Minimum 10 scholarships are reserved for the state of Jammu and Kashmir also. While awarding scholarships preferences are given to children of families practicing traditional art forms. Special emphasis is given to rare arts and crafts which are becoming extinct..
BASIS OF SELECTION
Children in the age group of 10-14 years studying either in recognized schools or belonging to families practicing traditional, performing and other arts are chosen for the scholarship. The outstanding children in various cultural fields such as traditional forms of music, dance, drama as well as painting, sculpture and crafts are selected for the award of scholarships. Special emphasis is given to rare art forms, which are in the process of becoming extinct.
We wish her all the best !!
TUNE IN WITH SWAPAN BASU THIS DURGA PUJA
Noted Bengali folk singer Swapan Basu would perform a musical note on October 12, 2010 in BHEL Durga Puja Celebration.
Listening to Swapan Basu's song is an experience. He is not merely a folk singer but an Ethno-musicologist and folk song interpreter. He has travelled to remote villages of India to collect songs from different ethnic groups and tribals. He has inhaled their language, pronunciation and melody. The government of India has acknowledged his contribution and awarded him the National Scholarship in folk music from Ministry of Education in 1981; The Research Fellowship in Ethno-musicology from Anthropological Survey of India in 1984; and the National Fellowship as an outstanding performer in the performing arts from Human Resource Development of India, in 1987.
Far from the madding crowd into the openness of nature the name of Swapan Basu becomes almost synonymous with the idyllic folk tunes of eastern India. An icon in the fields of folk music, Swapan Basu has become a name by him and is held solely responsible for making the vivacious folk tunes of rural India touch a million hearts of the urban India and far abroad crossing the bar of international barriers and manmade restrictions. A masters from the Rabindra Bharati University in the vocal folk music in 1984, he began his career much earlier to that and since then has been charming his listeners with the vibrant, melodious and unanimous folk tunes that were always there-unnoticed and unidentified.
The name of the accompanist Shri Lalit Kishore Bhattacharya, Shri Debashis Bhakta, Shri Soumen Das and Shri Swapan Nag will accompany the singer.
Further information can be read on the singer’s website www.swapanbasu.com
Friday, September 10, 2010
Shashanka Mukherjee Passed Away
Mukherjee's last rites would be performed on coming Monday (13.09.2010) 11:00 Am onwards in Subhash Nagar Bisram Ghat, Bhopal after the arrival of his son from United States of America. His residence address is : HIG - 1, Baghira Apartment, E-5, Arera Colony, Bhopal.
TUNE IN WITH SWAPAN BASU THIS DURGA PUJA
Noted Bengali folk singer Swapan Basu would perform a musical note on October 12, 2010 in BHEL Durga Puja Celebration.
Listening to Swapan Basu's song is an experience. He is not merely a folk singer but an Ethno-musicologist and folk song interpreter. He has travelled to remote villages of India to collect songs from different ethnic groups and tribals. He has inhaled their language, pronunciation and melody. The government of India has acknowledged his contribution and awarded him the National Scholarship in folk music from Ministry of Education in 1981; The Research Fellowship in Ethno-musicology from Anthropological Survey of India in 1984; and the National Fellowship as an outstanding performer in the performing arts from Human Resource Development of India, in 1987.
Far from the madding crowd into the openness of nature the name of Swapan Basu becomes almost synonymous with the idyllic folk tunes of eastern India. An icon in the fields of folk music, Swapan Basu has become a name by him and is held solely responsible for making the vivacious folk tunes of rural India touch a million hearts of the urban India and far abroad crossing the bar of international barriers and manmade restrictions. A masters from the Rabindra Bharati University in the vocal folk music in 1984, he began his career much earlier to that and since then has been charming his listeners with the vibrant, melodious and unanimous folk tunes that were always there-unnoticed and unidentified.
The name of the accompanist Shri Lalit Kishore Bhattacharya, Shri Debashis Bhakta, Shri Soumen Das and Shri Swapan Nag will accompany the singer.
Further information can be read on the singer’s website www.swapanbasu.com
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Notice for AGM on 05.09.10
TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION
NOTICE FOR ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) ON 05.09.2010
All Members of the Association are hereby informed that the Annual General Body Meeting of the Association is being convened on 5th September, 2010.
All Members of the Association are hereby informed that the Annual General Body Meeting of the Association is being convened on 5th September, 2010.
The agenda of the meeting shall be as under:
- To confierm the Election of the new executive committee election to which was held on 07.03.2010
- To pass accounts of the association for the period 2009-2010
- To elect office bearers for Pooja 2010
- To confirm changes made in the constitution by the Election Committee and formulate new constitution for better functioning
- Any other issues with the permission of the chair
Date : 05.09.2010 (Sunday)
Venue : The Bengali Association, T. T. Nagar, Bhopal
Time : 11:00 AM
Salil Chatterjee
General Secretary
P.S.:- Request to take a copy of Audited Accounts one day earlier for Study. Copy can be had from the Association office.
- Request to give suggestions for change in the constitution in writing for proper deliberation.
- Request to provide names and address of proposed new members.
- For any queries, contact Secretary@9425411264
Monday, August 30, 2010
HISTORY OF BENGALI
HISTORY OF BENGALI
Sanjeev Nayyar
PART-4
Mangala-kavya - Next to Vaishnava literature, the Mangal-kavyas form the most important branch of B literature during this period. It consists of poetical works describing the glories of many popular gods and goddesses such as Manas (snake-goddess), Chandi (a form of Durga), Dharma-Thakur, Siva and others.
The central theme of Manasa-mangala is the conversion of the rich merchant Chand Sadagar who was at first unwilling to worship Manasa but was ultimately forced to do after his seven sons were killed by snakebite. Through her skills in dance and music the widow of the 7th son had his life restored.
The Chandi-mangala Kavya is based on two themes, which describe how, through the favor of the Goddess Chandi, the hunter Kalaketu becomes a king and merchant Dhanapati has his son married to the king of Ceylon. The oldest available texts of this kavya are accredited to Mukundaram Chakravarti, composed towards the end of the 16th century. The kavya has enjoyed immense popularity over the years. It depicts the social condition of Bengal during the medieval period esp. of the common man.
Dharma-Thakur, the subject matter of the Dharma-mangala Kavyas was a local God of Radha (West Bengal) worshipped mostly by the lowest classes of society. The hero of the kavya is Lausen, victorious in many battles always protected by Dharma-Thakur. The author Manikram, flourished about the middle of the 16th century.
The Siva-mangala has a long history but no texts older than the 17th century. The best known work is that of Ramesvar Bhattacharya who lived during the first half of the 18th century.
Several texts of the Kalika-mangal glorifying the goddess Kali were written during the period under review. The main theme is the secret love of princess Vidya and Sundara, Kali appears at the end when Sundara condemned to death is saved by her intercession. The best work is known as Vidya-Sundara kavya by Bharata-chandra who flourished about the middle of the 18th century a.d.
Lastly mention should be made of Raya-mangala who glorifies Dakshina-raya, the Tiger God i.e. one by worshipping whom men can be saved from the tigers.
Translations - Referred to above is the translation of the Ramayana into B by Krittivasa. Mahabharat was translated by Kavindra Paramesvara (lived about 1440 to 1520). But the most well known translation is the one attributed to Kasiram Das. The Bhagavata Purana was translated by Raghunath Pandit who wrote the Prematarangini. There were numerous Muslim writers during this period too.
1707 to 1818
In a sense B literature of the 18th century was a continuation of the 17th. Vaishnava songs and biographies continued to be written of inferior quality though. But the Mangala-kavya referred to earlier was the best poetical literature of that period.
The greatest poet of this period was Bharatchandra Ray Gunakar, born around 1710. He wrote his magnum opus ‘Annada-mangala’ around 1752-53 and enjoyed a reputation as a masterpiece for more than a century. Ray was regarded as the best B poet till the middle of the 19th century when the revolutionary took place thanks to Brit influence.
The Annada-mangala consists of three independent parts. The first part is Mangala-kavya proper dealing with the episodes of Shiva, Parvati (Annada). The gods and goddesses are endowed with human sentiments and the author shows great skill in describing them as such.
The second and the best of the three parts, is the romantic story of the secret love of Vidya and Sundara. Sundara visited Vidya every night till he was caught and ordered to be put to death only to be saved goddess Kali to marry Vidya eventually. The secret amours of Vidya and Sundara are described in beautiful verses, very skillful and highly charming.
The third part deals with a historical theme centering around the victory of the Mughal General Man Singh over Pratapaditya, the ruler of a petty principality in South Bengal. Although without any historical foundation the heroic stand of Pratapaditya has enchanted Bengali readers for over a century.
Although the Annda-mangala is unhistorical it has got passages of great importance. It gives a vivid picture of the hatred towards the Muslim ruler of Bengal, Ali Vardi Khan. It is said in the introductory part that when ‘Ali Vardi destroyed the Hindu temples in Bhubaneshwar, Nandi got furious and took his javelin to destroy the Yavanas but Lord Shiva prevented him by saying that the ruler of Bargis (the Marathas) will subdue the Yavanas. And so he appeared before the Maratha ruler who sent Bhaskar Pandit to Bengal.
In the third part reference is made to the oppression of the Muslims, by destroying temples and insult to the Brahmins. Far more interesting is the speech of the Mughal king Jahangir, which is a violent denunciation of Hindu religion and society ending with Jahangir’s exclamation ‘The very sight of a Brahmin is loathsome to me and the desire often seizes me to convert all Hindus to Islam’. All those who think that Hindu Muslim differences were artificially created by the British should read this. Ray wrote verses in Sanskrit too.
Ramprasad Sen - was another great figure in B literature during this period. He is also known as a great devotee of the Goddess Kali and a sadhak (saint). His devotional songs are still popular in Bengal.
Kabi poetry - The stream of religious poetry that had been flowing from the medieval age to the middle of the 18th century got considerably weakened by this time. This is exemplified by the growth of a new type of literature such as short poems on romantic love or on historical/topical subjects and short love songs. A sort of compromise between the new and the old ideals gave rise to the Kabi poetry and Panchali which flourished about the middle of the 18th century and continued throughout this period.
The best writer of this style of poetry was Nidhu Babu 1742 to 1839. He is one of the leading sponsors of the style of music known as Akhadai and introduced the now famous Tappa style.As regards the Panchali style, a Muslim writer Shaikh Faizullah was the author of Satyapirer Panchali, flourished early in the 18th century.
Special reference must be made to a collection of songs and ballads known as Mymensimha-Gitika were collected early in the 19th century. They had two special features, one they were devoid of any religious sentiment, two they anticipate romantic sentiments expressed in Western literature, which was a dominant feature in B fiction, poetry and drama since the middle of the 19th century. The stories are based on the love and sentiments of ordinary men and women written in a simple and easy language; reflect the feelings and sentiments of the unsophisticated rural folk.
Historical Literature - Reference has been made in the previous period to Rajamala-Chronicle of kings of Tripura. It gives the history of Tripura from the beginning to the rule of Dharma-manikya in the 15th century.
To this class belongs another B book called Maharashtra Purana. Composed around 1751-52 by one Gangaram the book gives an account of the Maratha raids in Bengal during the reign of Ali Vardi Khan from 1742 to the treacherous murder of the Maratha General Bhaskar Pandit by Ali Vardi Khan in 1744. The book is important since it gives a vivid picture of the atrocities perpetuated by the Marathas on the Bengalis.
Prose Literature - The vast B literature during the earlier periods was written in verse and there was no prose, properly called during the period under review. There were short sentences in the Vaishnava esoteric treatises and long or short letters written in prose but hardly any composition that could be really called literature except a few books belonging to the Missionaries mostly Portuguese and translation of Legal Codes by the order of the East India Company towards the end of the 18th century.
The oldest B book written in prose was Kripar Shastrer Arthabhed in 1734. The next was the Brahman Roman Catholic Sambad – a dialogue between a Brahmin and a Roman Catholic in which the latter seeks to establish the superiority of Christianity over Sanathan Dharam.
These two books mark the beginning of Bengali prose. Bengal owes a debt to the Portuguese for the development of B prose style and for the first printed books in B – the Portuguese had established the first printing press in Goa in 1556.
(To be continued)
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