Exploring 'Ideas, Thoughts and Memories': A Rich Anthology of Bengali Literary Essays

In 'Ideas, Thoughts and Memories: Bengali Literary Essays: A Selection in Translation', Kalpana Bardhan, a social scientist and translator, has compiled a collection of 46 essays by 31 prominent Bengali authors. The anthology spans from Bhudeb Mukhopadhyay (1827–1894) to the contemporary Anita Agnihotri (b 1956), offering a comprehensive look at the rich literary heritage of Bengal.

In his foreword, Ashis Nandy comments that this book is a reminder to a new generation of Bengalis of a lost world and a lost skill. He notes that the Bengali literary sphere once boasted of writers who used Bengali for both creative work and serious nonfiction, in contrast to those who used English or Bangla alternately. Nandy raises a pertinent question: Is this book a lovable but doomed venture? Given that many children born and raised outside Bangla-speaking regions struggle to access the language, he expresses hope that the new generations of diasporic Bengalis will find in these pages clues to their cultural roots and a new multicultural sensitivity.

For many readers, this anthology is a treasure trove. It brings together essays that are scattered across books and magazines, making them easily accessible. The volume covers a wide array of themes and writing styles, from brilliant descriptions of Calcutta's markets to historical events like Mahatma Gandhi's assassination. It 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 reflection on what it means to be a Bengali in contemporary South Asia, critiquing Bengali sub-nationalism. Partha Chatterjee's 'The Isolation of Jogen Mondol' delves into an important historical figure in Bengal's pre-partition caste politics. Other notable pieces include Ganesh Pyne's 'Deliberately he swims against the current' and Sukumari Bhattacharji's historical assessment of 'Mrichchhakatika'.

Apart from the diverse subject matter, the volume raises significant questions about translation and the role of translators. Bardhan highlights the paucity of good translations and the importance of evaluating and studying translations. She emphasizes the need for a supportive ecosystem for re-translations of important literary works. This is particularly relevant in a country where a significant portion of the population speaks multiple languages, and many write in more than one.

While the anthology is a valuable resource, it could benefit from a list of contributors at the end, providing readers with a sense of time and context. Some of the endnotes are inadequate, and a few pieces could have benefited from stricter editorial intervention. Despite these minor issues, Bardhan's anthology fills a crucial gap in reaching out to an audience that might otherwise not have access to these stimulating works.

In conclusion, 'Ideas, Thoughts and Memories' is a significant contribution to the literary landscape of India. It not only showcases the richness of Bengali literature but also underscores the importance of translation in preserving and sharing cultural heritage. For many, it is a reminder to take translation seriously and to appreciate the diverse voices that contribute to our idea of India.