Bengali Literature

Bengali literature is denoted through the body of writings in the Bengali Language. The earliest work in Bengali literature is the Charyapada, a collection of mystic songs in Old Bengali. It dates back to the 10th and 11th centuries. The timeline of whole Bengali literature is divided into three periods:

1. Ancient (650-1200),
2. Medieval (1200-1800) and
3. Modern (1800 onwards).

Medieval Bengali literature consists of a variety of poetic genres, including Hindu religion scripts, Islamic epics, and Vaishnaya texts, the translations of Arabic, along Persian and Sanskrit texts. It also had included secular texts by Muslim poets. Novels were introduced in the mid-19th century. Rabindranath Tagore is still the best-known Bengali literature legend in the world. Kazi Nazrul Islam, notable for his activism and anti-British literature, was described as the Rebel Poet and is now recognized as the National Poet of Bangladesh.

More About the Eras of Bengali Literature:

• Ancient (650-1200): The first works ever in Bengali Literature were first done between the 10th and 12th centuries. This work is known as Charyapada, and in that novel, 47 mystic hymns were composed and written. This was first started by the Buddist monks like-Bhusukupada, Kamlipada, Dhendhanpada, Shantipada, Shabarapada and many more. 

The manuscript was first discovered on a palm leaf in the Nepal Royal Court Library in 1907. Bengali linguist Hariprasad Shastrim first found it. But the language of these manuscripts is only partially understood. They were classified by Shastri with Sandhya Bhasha, which means ‘dusk’.The Charyapadas are also considered part of Odia, Assamese, and Mithila literature.

• Mediaeval (1200-1800):Many claimed that poetic rhythms and hymns were loved in this time of the Bengali literature era. Rama Pandit and Halayudh Misra were the two famous writers of that time. Many works of literature from this period were also included as parts of Assamese culture, which indicates a shared field in this era. Muslim writers explored many themes along with the narratives on the topics such as religion, culture, cosmology, love and history. Translation of Arabic and Persian literary works was often a part of this era.

Chandidas became the celebrated Hindu lyrical poet of the period. He was famous for translating Jayadeva’s work from Sanskrit to Bengali. He also contributed to producing thousands of poems dedicated to love.

Most Hindu writers got inspiration from a popular Maithili language poet known as Vidyapati. Bhagavata Purana is the earliest Bengali narrative. It was composed between 1473 and 1480 C.E.It is also the oldest Bengali narrative poem of Krishna, The Ramayana, under the title of Sri Rama Panchali, Which was translated by Krittibas Oja.

Bengali literature mainly flourished during the Arakans. It was home to prominent writers such as Alalol, Daulat Qazi, Dawlat Nazir Khan, and Quraishi Magan Thakur, who wrote Chandravati. Qazi started writing “Sati Maina O Lorchandrani”, which is considered the first Bengali romantic literature   Heyat Mayud being a judge by profession, is still considered to be the last poet of Middle Bengali literature.[

• Modern (1800 onwards): In the modern era, Micheal Madhusudan’s first epic Tilottama Sambhab Kabya was published in 1860. The first Bengali poem, written in blank verse, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee was one of the leading Bengali novelists and essayists, wrote ‘Vande Mataram’, the national song of India. He analyzed the Hindu scriptures, such as the Bhagavad Gita, and the problems of Krishna, in his Dharmatattva and Krishna Charitra. Girish Chandra Ghosh was a prominent playwright of that time. Akshay Kumar Boral was famous for his influential essays. 

The pre-Tagore era also saw an undercurrent of popular literature focused on daily life in contemporary Bengal. “Custom Pechar Naksha, a Masterpiece, was written by Kaliprassana Sigha and satirically depicted the “Babu ” culture of 19th century Kolkata. These books arguably portrayed contemporary Bengali culture and popular society effectively. Rupchand Pakhi and Bhola Moyra are those books that have become rarer since the emergence of Tagore culture. This moreover dialects the essence of Bengali Literature culture.

Tagore and Kazi Nazrul were still the most efficient writers of Bengal in the 20th century. Tagore is also famous as the writer of India’s national anthem, Jana Gana Mana and Bangladesh’s ‘Amar Shonar Bangla’. Kazi Nazrul Islam is celebrated as the National poet of Bangladesh.

Sarat Chandra Chatterjee, another notable writer, wrote a lot of novels. He wrote essays, namely- Narir Mulya Swadesh O Sahitya. Srikanta, Charitrahin, Devdas, Grihadaha, Dena-Paona and Pather Dabi. 

Prakalpana Movement:

The Prakalpana Movement was named by Steve LeBlanc, who fostered new genres of Prakalpana fiction. It is probably the only bilingual Literary Movement in India, mainly of Bengali literature, that has spread its wings worldwide. The participation of well known international avant graded writers and mail artists with notable Bengali poets, writers and dramatists.

Conclusion:

Bengali literature is one of the oldest available pieces of literature globally, bringing up the Bengali culture and tradition for more than 300 years. Religion influenced the culture, therefore the literature. Bengali litterateurs have successfully told the stories of the people of this area, their stories of struggle, their happiness, sorrows, and amour.