Language and Literature of West Bengal | WBCS Preparation: All Subjects - WBCS (West Bengal) PDF Download

Bengali Literature

The region of Bengal has consistently been a prominent hub of art, culture, and literature within India. This land has gifted the world intellectuals such as Rabindranath Tagore, Raja Ram Roy, Kazi Nazrul Islam, Bankim Chandra, and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, who have left an indelible mark on the literary landscape. The term 'Bengali literature' encompasses all literary works in the Bengali language, whether originating from Bangladesh or West Bengal. With a history that stretches back centuries, Bengali literature stands as one of the oldest literary traditions globally. Similar to Bengali music, the literature of Bengal is exceptionally diverse and meaningful.
The earliest extant evidence of ancient Bengali literature consists of a collection of Buddhist spiritual poems from the 8th to 12th centuries, known as Charyapada or Charyageeti. These poems, authored by the Siddhas or Siddhacharyas from the states of Assam, Bengal, Orissa, and Bihar, represent the oldest written form of the Bengali language. Discovered by Bengali linguist Harprashad Shastri on palm leaves in the Nepal Royal Court Library in 1907, Charyapada holds a significant place in the literary heritage.
The 19th century marked a turning point for Bengali literature, with luminaries like Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Vidyasagar actively contributing to its growth. During the latter half of the 19th century, novel-writing gained prominence, with Peary Chandra Mitra's "Alaler Ghorer Dulal" becoming the first Bengali novel in 1858. Other notable novels of that era include "Durgesh-Nandini," "Debdas," "Premer Somadhi," "Goriber Meye," "Premer Pothe," "Nodibakshe," and "Abdullah."
In the latter half of the 19th century, Bengali poetry, plays, and contemporary media flourished. Figures like Rabindranath Tagore, Bihari Lal Chkrobarty, Saradamangal, and Sadhar Asan brought a breath of fresh air to Bengali poetry. The periodical press, featuring publications like Digdarshan and Samachar-Darpan, gained momentum. During this phase, Bengali literature played a significant role in the Indian freedom struggle. The 20th century witnessed the Bengal Renaissance, a period of socio-cultural reform reflected in contemporary literature.
Even today, Bengali literature remains a vital component of Indian literature. A substantial portion of the Bengali population continues to favor the rich regional literature that reflects their society, as opposed to foreign works. Notable contemporary Bengali literary figures include Sunil Gangopadhyaya, Buddhadev Guha, Mahashweta Devi, Samaresh Majumdar, Amiya Bhushan Majumdar, Sankha Ghosh, Debesh Roy, Bani Basu, Malay Roy, and Moti Nandi. Several acclaimed Bollywood movies, such as "Parineeta" and "Devdas," have drawn inspiration from renowned Bengali novels.