Bengali novels
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Bengali novels occupy a major part of Bengali literature. Despite the evidence of Bengali literary traditions dating back to the 7th century, the format of novel or prose writing did not fully emerge until the early nineteenth century. The development of Bengali novel was fueled by colonial encounter, booming print culture, growth of urban centers, and increased middle-class readership[1] Upanyas, the Bangla word for novel, is derived from the words upanay and upanyasta.[2]
According to Ananda Sanker and Lila Ray, 'when the novel was introduced in Bengali in the middle of the 19th century, the form itself was new, the prose in which it was written was new, the secular tone was new in a country hitherto wholly dominated by religion, and the society in which and for which it was written was new' (p. 168). But some great novelists like
Early Novels in Bengali
The first Bangla novelists were
Many of the earliest published novels were written by Kolkata-based writers like Peary Chand Mitra and Kali Prasanna Singh, writers from then-East Bengal are also known to have written novels. Kangal Harinath(1833–1896), based in Kushtia District, now in Bangladesh, published three original novels Bijoy Basanta (1859), Chittachapala (1876) and 'Prem-Promila'.[4] His 1859 novel Bijoy Basanta was so popular that a second edition was published in 1862.
Modern period of Bengali Literature (1890–1947)
Although this period is often call "The Tagore Phase" because of the domination of Rabindranath Tagore in all genres of Bangla luterature, the most popular novelist of this period was Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay. He is best known for his novels, which often portrayed lives, struggles, and hopes of men and women in a relatable manner. His language was easy-to-read and left lasting impression on her readers' minds. His work has been translated into many languages and has been adapted into films and television shows. His most popular novels include Badadidi (1913), Bindur Chhele (1914), Ramer Sumati (1914), Pandit Mashai (1914), Biraj Bau (1914), Charitrahin (1914), Chandranath (1916), Pallisamaj (1916), Devdas (1917), Datta (1918), Grhadaha (1920), Dena-Paona (1923), and Baikunther Will (1934).
Although Tagore was most notable as a poet, he wrote twelves novels where he explored the nuances of human relationships, psychological phenomena, and social issues. His most notables novels include: Bauthakuranir Hat (1883) and Rajarsi (1887) based on historical events, Chokher Bali, concerning taboo topic of illicit love, and Gora (1910) featuring a hero who is a European child brought up by a Hindu family.
Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay (1894–1950) was the most popular novelist to succeed Sharat Chandra. Through his work, he narrated the stories of struggle, poverty, hopes, and dreams of ordinary people of rural Bengal. His most famous novels include the trilogy consisting of Pather Panchali (1929), Apur Sangsar, and Aparajita. Among his other novels are Aranyak (1938), Debayan (1944), Drstipradip (19350, Adarsha Hindu Hotel (1940), and Ichhamati (1949).
Other prominent novelists who shaped mainstream Bengali novels of this era include Jagadish Gupta and Kamal Kumar Majumdar,
Novelists from East Bengal during pre-partition era
Before 1947, events like
Mohammad Najibar Rahman's Anowara was the first notable novel and it moved the whole Bengali Muslim community after publication. According to Rafiqullah Khan, 'The novel could not create any novelty from artistic point of view, but it carried great importance for its picturization of socio-economic and political culture and ideals of the uprising populace' (p. 25, Translation). The main themes of most of the novels in this era were Muslim society, beliefs, and orthodoxy. Examples of novels incorporating these themes are Najibar Rahman's Premer Somadhi (published in 1919) and Goriber Meye (1923), Sheikh Idris Ali's Premer Pothe (1926). In this time, for the first time the life of the Bengali farmers took an artistic delineation through Kazi Abdul Wadud's Nodibakshe (1919).
Then Kazi Imdadul Huq sprinkled a new wave. His famous novel Abdullah was published in periodicals in 1920 and it came into book form in 1933. According to Biswajit Ghosh, this novel was a 'bourgeois and humanitarian revolt against devotion to Peers, religious dogmas, purdah-system and disparity between Ashraf and Atraf'.[5] Later, 'Kazi Abdul Wadud and Humayun Kabir extended this attitude'.[6] Another novelist, Abul Fazal, exposed human psychological analyses in his novel Chouchir (1927). He afterwards continued with his own style and wrote Prodip O Patongo (1940) and Shahoshika (1946). It is well accepted that this type of psychological approach was a first attempt in novels of Bangladesh, though not for the first time in Bengali novels.
Post-Partition/ Contemporary era (1947–Present)
The independence of India and Pakistan from British rule bore more importance for the people of then Bengal. Since then the Bengali speaking community were divided into two parts – the East and the West Bengal. The practice and stream of literary practice also separated ways although both Bengals share common readership.
West Bengal stream
Novels in post-partition West Bengal portrayed proliferation of socialist ideas. Two of the most notable novelists from this era are Manik Bandopadhyay and Tarashankar Bandyopadhyay. Tarashankar's goal was to write novels with a social purpose. Through his novels, he sketched the tension between socialism and capitalism. His popular novels Raikamal and Kavi, and Hasuli Banker Upakatha (1947) paints the pictures of lives of people with humble means.[3]
Contemporary prominenet novelists from West Bengal include Sunil Gangopadhyay, Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay, Samaresh Majumdar, Mahasweta Devi, and Ashapurna Devi.
Bangladesh stream (formerly East Bengal)
East Pakistan era
The independence of India and Pakistan from British rule bore more importance for the people of then Bengal. Since then the Bengali speaking community were divided into two parts – the East and the West Bengal. It turns into the smashing of the millennium-old culture and unity of Bengali nation. Moreover, the existence of language became a great question just after the creation of Pakistan. The West-Pakistan ruling government tried to impose Urdu as the principal language on the Bengali people. But the whole society reacted strongly. This leaves a permanent impression on Bengali literature. In this tumultuous era, Syed Waliullah's Lalsalu (Tree without roots) (1948) was published. It was the foremost successful novel, both from art and reality points of view. Later Syed Waliullah translated it in English by the name Tree Without Roots. Mahbub-ul Alam wrote Mofijon, also published in 1948. A progressive novelist Humayun Kabir wrote an English novel, Rivers and Women, which was published in 1945. The Bengali form was published in 1952 by the name of Nodi O Nari.
In the first years of the Pakistan regime the authors mostly took village life as their
Then came a whole generation of extraordinary novelists.
In this time, diversity of contents of the novel was noticeable. Village life was the core theme of a huge number of novels. Sometimes it centered the superstitious village mind or the oppression by the influential groups on the common people, some other times depressed womanhood took this place. Love between men and women in
Middle class society began to evolve in this time. Urban life, its problems and complexities, uprising middle-class people, their social context and love in their life started to be portrayed in a good number of novels. Jibon Pother Jatri by Abul Fazal, Pother Porosh (1957) by Daulatunnessa Khatun, Bhorer Bihongi (1958) by Satyen Sen, Surjer Niche (1958) by Atahar Ahmad, Pathasranta (1959) by Nilima Ibrahim, Shesh Bikeler Meye (1960) by Zahir Raihan, Kanyakumari (1960) by Abdur Razzak, Uttam Purush (1961) by Rashid Karim, Ek Path Dui Bank (1962) by Nilima Ibrahim, Akash Jodi Nil Hoi (1962) and Ihai To Prem (1963) by Syed Sahadat Hossain, Prasanno Pashan (1963) by Rashid Karim, Pingal Aakash (1963) by Shawkat Ali, Akasher Rong (1964) by Zobeda Khanam, Panna Holo Sobuz (1964) by Shahid Akhand, Nirjan Megh (1965) by Humayun Kadir, Ghar Mon Janala (1965) by Dilara Hashim, Aronyo Nilima (1965) by Ahsan Habib, Antahshila (1967) by Kazi Md. Idris, Digonter Swapno (1967) by Razia Majid, Mon Ek Shet Kopoti (1967), Shaheb Bazar (1967) and Ananto Aneysha (1967) by Rabeya Khatun, Bipani Mon (1968) by Mir Abul Hossain, Sourav (1968) by Anis Chowdhury, Anishchita Ragini (1969) by Abu Rushd, Borof Gola Nodi (1969) by Zahir Raihan, Rajabagh Shahimar Bagh (1969) by Rabeya Khatun etc. are significant novels of this stream.
But the background of another major event was being prepared in this time. The country began to experience turmoil. The political situation of the country became more and more prominent in the novels also. In novels like Nongor by Abu Rushd and Mon Na Moti by Anis Siddique, Jibon Khuda by Abul Monsoor Ahmed exposed the context of Pakistan Movement. Communal picture out of this movement and the restoration of Hindu-Muslim harmony also became core content in a number of novels including Ranga Probhat by Abul Fazal, Khuda O Asha by Alauddin Al-Azad, Neer Sandhani and Nishuti Rater Gatha by Anwar Pasha etc.
Then came the historic event of the
There were some historical novels also.
Another trend of novels having emphasis on the sexual behaviours and deviations of the characters began to mark its own place during the sixties. Razia Khan's Bot-tolar Uponyas, and Anukolpo was among the first novels of this trend.
Afterwards came the most memorable days of Bangali nation. After ten-month long war Bangalis became independent nation. After the massacre of three million people and huge violation and harassment of womenfolk and loss of property Bangladesh emerged as a secular and democratic nation on 16 December 1971, and Bangladeshi novel enters into a new era.
Bangladesh era
Most of the writers who were contributing in the pre-liberation period were also very creative in this period.
After the liberation war, freedom fight became a unique subject. The first of this discipline is
New faces appeared in the literary world after the liberation. Among them, Selina Hossain, Humayun Ahmed, Hasnat Abdul Hye, Rizia Rahman, Jubaida Gulshan Ara Hena, and Bashir al-Helal were the most prominent.
Selina Hossain started with Jalochchhwas and till now she has authored more than twenty-one novels. Her Hangor Nodi Granade is a success written on Bangladesh Liberation War. She has written novels like Taanaporen on coastal life and natural disaster. Gayatree Sondhya (3 volumes: published in, 1994, 1995, 1996), Kalketu O Fullora, Chandbene are some of her historical novels.
Abdur Rouf Choudhury's novel Natun Diganta (three volumes: published in 1991, 1992, 1993 and complete collection in 2005 by Pathak Shamabesh) is a quality work of art by any standard and most successful writing on pre- Bangladesh Liberation War. Choudhury most vividly depicted the unity of Bengal and the articulation of Bengali nationalism in his novel Natun Diganta (New Horizon) (vols. 1–3). Reason and humanity – these are its two eternal pillars. The essence of Choudhury's thought is a complete faith in the efficiency of these two immeasurable forces. Its most striking characteristic is its insistent association of work, precept and practice. It appeals not to controversial tests, not to any appearance of sweet reasonableness but to trials in the rough and tumble of life, and it will accept no other judgment. Natun Diganta gives warning against: 1) dogma, mysticism, ceremonial, hypnotism, the binding of the mind and will by oaths, and other inventions of external authority in religion and politics, 2) participation in violence, individual or social, and organisation's dependence on violence, 3) exploitation, luxury and material property, 4) self-degradation and 5) devotion to self-sacrifice.
Humayun Ahmed, perhaps the most popular novelist in Bengali after Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, appeared with his novel Nondito Noroke and then Shonkhoneel Karagar. Later he gradually turned to less serious things. Almost all of his novels are best sellers. Some of his titles are 1971, Daruchinir Deep, Brihonnola, Joyjoyonti, Kobi etc. Humayun Ahmed's Tomader Jonno Valobasa is the first science fiction novel in Bangladesh.
A serious poet, essayist and literary researcher Abdul Mannan Syed published his first novel Pariprekshter Dasdashi in 1974. Later on he wrote Kolkata, Poramatir Kaaj, O Te Ojogor, Hei Songsar Hei Lota, Khudha, Prem, Aagun, Shyamoli Tomar Mukh etc. Hasnat Abdul Hye, arrived with his Suprobhat Bhalobasa. By now he has written at least twenty novels. Along with his other novels he has introduced a different form of novels called biographical. Sultan, Ekjon Aaroj Ali and Novera are example of this form. All of these novels are based on the biographical sketches of giant Bangali characters. Rizia Rahman's Uttar Purush came in black and white in 1977. She wrote some fifteen novels in the eighties. Her voluminous Bongo Theke Bangla is an epic composition about the past culture and heritage of Bangali nation. Her other major novels are Rokter Okhkhor, Alikhito Upakhyan, Ekal Chirokal, Prem Aamar Prem, Ekti Phuler Jonyo, Harun Fereni etc. Bashir al-Helal's Kalo Elish was published in 1979. His other novels include Ghritokumari, Shesh Panpatro, Nurjahander Modhumas etc.
In the eighties, Bangladeshi novel got some senior writers who wrote novels for the first time along with some promising young ones. Among the earlier writers Abubakar Siddique's Jalarakshas and Kharadaha appeared with much novelty. His important later novel is Ekatturer Hridoybhashma. Makbula Manjoor started in the late years of the sixties, but most of her novels came out in the eighties and nineties. Kaler Mondira is one of her most notable work. Rahat Khan wrote novels about middle class city people, their joys and sorrows, love and separation. His significant works include Omol Dhabol Chakri, Ek Priyodorshini, Chhayadampoti, Hai Shunyota, Sangharsho, Shahar, Hai Anonter Pakhi, Modhyomather Khelowar etc.
Another senior novelist Abu Ishaque's second novel Padmar Palidwip was published in 1986, after thirty-one years of his debut novel Surjo Dighal Bari. Appearance and disappearance of Chars (strip of sandy land), their effect on nearby humanity etc. have taken a keen narration in Padmar Palidwip.
Haripada Datta is also a worthy name. His two-volume novel Ojogor (Vol. I −1989, Vol. II-1991) chronicles the recent history very remarkably. His previous novels are Eshane Ognidaho and Ondhokupe Janmothsob. In 2000 he wrote an epic volume titled Jonmo Jonmantor.
From the early years of the eighties, the arrival of some young novelists who, later on, obtained enough popularity, was heard. Monju Sarkar,
The last decade of twentieth century is comparatively fruitful for Bangladeshi novels.
Top novels of West Bengal, India
| # | Novel | Author |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Durgeshnandini | Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay
|
| 2 | Kapalkundala | Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay |
| 3 | Madhabi Kankan | Ramesh Chandra Dutta |
| 4 | Gora | Rabindranath Tagore |
| 5 | Ghare Baire | Rabindranath Tagore |
| 6 | Char Addhyay | Rabindranath Tagore |
| 7 | Shesher Kabita | Rabindranath Tagore |
| 8 | Noukadubi | Rabindranath Tagore |
| 9 | Pather Dabi | Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay
|
| 10 | Shesh Prashna | Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay |
| 11 | Aparajito | Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay
|
| 12 | Pather Panchali | Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay |
| 13 | Aranyak | Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay |
| 14 | Debjan | Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay |
| 15 | Ganadevata | Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay |
| 16 | Nagini Kanyar Kahini | Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay |
| 17 | Hansuli Banker Upakatha | Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay |
| 18 | Putul Nacher Itikatha | Manik Bandyopadhyay
|
| 19 | Dibaratrir Kabya | Manik Bandopadhyay |
| 20 | Padma Nadir Majhi | Manik Bandyopadhyay |
| 21 | Jagari | Satinath Bhaduri |
| 22 | Antarjali Jatra | Kamal Kumar Majumdar |
| 23 | Ekhon Amar Kono Asukh Nei | Sandipan Chattopadhyay |
| 24 | Rubi Kakhan Asbe | Sandipan Chattopadhyay |
| 25 | Jiban Je Rakam | Sunil Gangopadhyay |
| 26 | Prathom Alo | Sunil Gangopadhyay |
| 27 | Sei Somoy | Sunil Gangopadhyay |
| 28 | Uttar Jahnabi | Syed Mustafa Siraj |
| 29 | Aleek Manush | Syed Mustafa Siraj |
| 30 | Trinabhumi | Syed Mustafa Siraj |
| 31 | Panchyajanya | Gajendrakumar Mitra |
| 32 | Ghunpoka | Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay |
| 33 | Purna Apurna | Bimal Kar |
| 34 | Kharkuto | Bimal Kar |
| 35 | Banpalashir Padabali | Ramapada Choudhury |
| 36 | Dweeper Naam Tiarong | Ramapada Choudhury |
| 37 | Mirar Dupur | Jyotirindra Nandi |
| 38 | Baaro Ghar Ek Uthon | Jyotirindra Nandi |
| 39 | Ei Taar Puroshkar | Jyotirindra Nandi |
| 40 | Nilkantha Pakhir Khonje | Atin Bandyopadhyay |
| 41 | Aloukik Jalajan | Atin Bandyopadhyay |
| 42 | Manusher Gharbari | Atin Bandyopadhyay |
| 43 | Ishwarer Bagan | Atin Bandyopadhyay |
| 44 | Dubjaley Jetuku Prashwas | Malay Roy Choudhury |
| 45 | Kheladhula | Basudeb Dasgupta |
| 46 | Bramhavargab Puran | Kamal Chakrabarty |
| 47 | Brikhu | Kamal Chakrabarty |
| 48 | Herbert | Nabarun Bhattacharya |
| 49 | Matam | Barin Ghosal |
| 50 | Suryaheen | Arupratan Ghosh |
| 51 | Lohitparer Upakatha | Samar Deb |
| 52 | Tungabhadrar Tire | Sharadindu Bandopadhyay |
| 53 | Mohulbonir Sereng | Tapan Bondyopadhyay |
| 54 | Shankhachil | Sayantani Putatunda |
| 55 | Ichhamoti | Bibhutibhushan Bondopadhyay |
| 56 | Keya Patar Nouko | Prafulla Roy |
| 57 | Uttal Somoyer Itikotha | Prafulla Roy |
| 58 | Shotodharay Boye Jaay | Prafulla Roy |
| 59 | Devdas | Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay |
| 60 | Srikanta | Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay |
Further reading
- Bangla Academy Lekhak Obhidhan, Bangla Academy, Dhaka, 1998
- Bangla Uponyase Chitrita Jiban O Somaj, Sudhamoy Das, Dhaka, 1995
- Purba O Pashchim Banglar Uponyas, Shahida Akter, Bangla Academy, Dhaka, 1992
- Amader Uponyase Bisoy Chetona : Bivagottor Kal, Muhammad Idris Ali, Bangla Academy, Dhaka, 1988
References
- ^ Chaudhuri, S. (2012). The Bengali novel. In V. Dalmia & R. Sadana (Eds.), The Cambridge Companion to Modern Indian Culture (Cambridge Companions to Culture, pp. 99–123). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. doi:10.1017/CCOL9780521516259.008
- ^ "Novel – Banglapedia". en.banglapedia.org. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
- ^ a b c "Bangla Literature – Banglapedia". en.banglapedia.org. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
- ^ সববাংলায় (24 January 2022). "কাঙাল হরিনাথ". সববাংলায় (in Bengali). Retrieved 29 July 2023.
- ^ Biswajit Ghosh page 134, translation
- ^ Syed Akram Hussain:page 97
- ^ Mahmud Rahman (14 June 2008). "Agunpakhi: Chronicle of a Life, Place and Time". The Daily Star. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
- Bangla Academy Charitabhidhan, Bangla Academy, Dhaka, Second Enlarged Edition, 1997
- Rafiqullah Khan, Bangladesher Uponyas: Bishay O Shilparup, Bangla Academy, Dhaka, 1997
- Syed Akram Hossain, 'Bangladesher Uponyas: Chetanaprabaha O Shilpajijnansha', Prosango Bangla Kathashahitya, Mawla Brothers, Dhaka, 1997
- Annada Sankar and Lila Ray, Bengali Literature, Pashchimbanga Bangla Academy, Kolkata, 2000
- Biswajit Ghosh, Bangladesher Uponyas, Sahitya Patrika, Vol. 28 No. 01, Dhaka University, Dhaka, 1984
- Bangladesher Uponyase Char Doshok, Kalyan Mirbar, Kolkata, 1992
- Bangladesher Koekjon Ouponyashik, Subrata Kumar Das, Dhaka, 2005
- Anya Dahan Bela, Pradip Kumar Bhadury, Aruna Prokashoni, Kolkata, 2002