A Rich Anthology of Literary Essays by Bengal's Foremost Writers

A collection of 46 essays by 31 distinguished Bengali authors, 'Ideas, Thoughts and Memories' is a valuable resource for understanding the rich literary heritage of Bengal. Edited and translated by Kalpana Bardhan, this anthology brings together a diverse array of voices and themes.

Bengali LiteratureLiterary EssaysTranslationKalpana BardhanBengali WritersReal EstateMay 17, 2025

A Rich Anthology of Literary Essays by Bengal's Foremost Writers

Real Estate:The book 'Ideas, Thoughts and Memories: Bengali Literary Essays: A Selection in Translation' is a collection of Bangla literary essays spanning from Bhudeb Mukhopadhyay (1827–1894) to the contemporary Anita Agnihotri (b 1956). Edited and compiled by Kalpana Bardhan, a social scientist and translator, this anthology is a labor of love that showcases 46 essays by 31 distinguished authors in the language. The volume is significant not only in its content but also in its diversity of voices. In his Foreword to the volume, Ashis Nandy comments that this book is “Kalpana Bardhan’s reminder to a new generation of Bengalis…of a lost world, and perhaps even a lost skill” that the Bengali literary sphere once boasted. Nandy highlights the unique ability of these writers to use Bengali for both creative and serious nonfiction, in contrast to those who used English or Bangla alternately for one or the other. He poses a pertinent question: “Is this book then only a lovable but doomed venture?” due to the limited number of children, born and raised outside Bangla-speaking regions, who can access the language. However, he remains hopeful that the new generations of diasporic Bengalis, eager to connect with their cultural roots, will find in these pages clues to their own way of coping with their sense of exile and developing a new multicultural sensitivity. For many readers, this anthology is a treasure trove of essays that were previously scattered across various books and magazines. It is a delight to have these essays compiled in one volume, making them easily accessible. The collection offers a wide range of themes and writing styles, from brilliant descriptions of Calcutta’s markets by Raghab Bandopadhyay to Saraladebi Chaudhurani’s insights into the Tagore household in “Our Festival.” Historical event-based essays, such as Abul Mansur Ahmad’s “Mahatmaji’s Assassination,” and Gaur Kishore Ghosh’s “An Atheist’s Gandhi-Journey,” remind us of our intellectual debt to the Mahatma. The anthology also includes essays on class, history, culture, and the arts, as well as memoirs and reminiscences. Hayat Mamud’s “Not Ashamed being just a Bengalee” is a powerful exploration of what it means to be a Bengali in contemporary South Asia, critiquing Bengali sub-nationalism. Partha Chatterjee’s “The Isolation of Jogen Mondol” discusses an important historical figure in Bengal’s pre-partition caste politics. Other notable pieces include the artist Ganesh Pyne’s “Deliberately he swims against the current” and Sukumari Bhattacharji’s historical assessment of Mrichchhakatika. The reader is invited to delve into and savor this rich and varied collection of writings. Beyond the diverse subject matter, the volume raises important questions about translation and the role of translators. Bardhan’s Introduction highlights the scarcity of good translations and the need for a supportive ecosystem for re-translations of important literary works. She emphasizes the importance of evaluating and studying translations and having regular forums for review and criticism. The culture of translating (and re-translating) literary works from one language to another remains a neglected area in our literary endeavors, despite the fact that a significant portion of our population speaks multiple languages and many write in more than one. One area for improvement in the anthology is the inclusion of a list of contributors at the end, which would provide readers unfamiliar with many names a sense of time and context. While the endnotes supply some information, they are sometimes inadequate. Additionally, a few essays could have benefited from stricter editorial intervention, and some translations read strangely. Despite these minor issues, Bardhan’s anthology fills a crucial gap in reaching out to an audience who would otherwise not be able to access this stimulating collection of Bengali writers. For many of us, it is a reminder to take translation seriously and to appreciate the rich literary heritage of Bengal. In more ways than one, this anthology, with its bouquet of distinct voices, lives up to a significant need in our idea of India.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who edited 'Ideas, Thoughts and Memories: Bengali Literary Essays: A Selection in Translation'? A: The anthology was edited and compiled by Kalpana Bardhan, a social scientist and translator. Q: What is the significance of the anthology? A: The anthology is significant for its diverse range of essays by 31 distinguished Bengali authors, covering a wide array of themes and writing styles. It also serves as a reminder of the rich literary heritage of Bengal. Q: What does Ashis Nandy say about the book in his Foreword? A: Ashis Nandy comments that the book is a reminder to a new generation of Bengalis of a lost world and skill, and he hopes it will help diasporic Bengalis connect with their cultural roots. Q: What is one of the strengths of the anthology? A: One of the strengths of the anthology is its diverse subject matter, including essays on class, history, culture, and the arts, as well as memoirs and reminiscences. Q: What does Kalpana Bardhan suggest about the importance of translation? A: Kalpana Bardhan highlights the importance of evaluating and studying translations and the need for a supportive ecosystem for re-translations of important literary works.

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