what is Bengali literature?
Speaking about the literature of Bangladesh is a bit complicated by the fact that the contemporary political frontier cuts in two halves a cultural and linguistic area. In other words, the literature of Bangladesh is deeply connected to the literary traditon of the Indian Bengal. The primary language of literature in Bangladesh is Bengali, written in the Bengali script. Among minor, regional languages, Sylheti deserves a special mention.
Early literature included Sanskrit texts, with influences from Buddhist and Hindu religious writings. Bengali literature began to flourish in the medieval period, notably through the works of poets like Chandidas (14th century) and Jayadeva.
With the advent of Islam in the region, Persian and Arabic literature began to influence Bengali writings, seen in the works of poets like Mangal Kavyas and Sufi literature.
The British colonial period (1757-1947) witnessed a revival of Bengali literature, with significant figures such as Rabindranath Tagore, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913. His poetry, novels, and plays explored themes of national identity and social consciousness. Among key literary figures, there is also Kazi Nazrul Islam, known as the "Rebel Poet," he wrote about social justice, freedom, and human rights, Jibanananda Das, a modernist poet recognized for his unique style and philosophical depth, Shamsur Rahman, a renowned poet and columnist who depicted contemporary social issues.
Contemporary Bengali literature is rich in novels and short stories published by authors like Masud Rana, Zafar Iqbal, and Shahaduz Zaman.
Early literature included Sanskrit texts, with influences from Buddhist and Hindu religious writings. Bengali literature began to flourish in the medieval period, notably through the works of poets like Chandidas (14th century) and Jayadeva.
With the advent of Islam in the region, Persian and Arabic literature began to influence Bengali writings, seen in the works of poets like Mangal Kavyas and Sufi literature.
The British colonial period (1757-1947) witnessed a revival of Bengali literature, with significant figures such as Rabindranath Tagore, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913. His poetry, novels, and plays explored themes of national identity and social consciousness. Among key literary figures, there is also Kazi Nazrul Islam, known as the "Rebel Poet," he wrote about social justice, freedom, and human rights, Jibanananda Das, a modernist poet recognized for his unique style and philosophical depth, Shamsur Rahman, a renowned poet and columnist who depicted contemporary social issues.
Contemporary Bengali literature is rich in novels and short stories published by authors like Masud Rana, Zafar Iqbal, and Shahaduz Zaman.
I have readA Sufi story from Sylhet, about a holy man and a deer
Rabindranath Tagore, ঘরে বাইরে | Ghare Baire | The Home and the World (1916), Sadhana: The Realisation of Life (1913) |
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