Lecture on Gopal Bha(n)rh at Bangla Academy

Professor Gautam Bhadra speaks at the programme.

As part of the ten daylong International Folklore Workshop themed on “Folklore Summer School”, Bangla Academy organised a lecture titled “Bangalir Gopal Bha(n)rh: Ekti Loko Choritrer Nirmaner Shondhaney” at Abdul Karim Sahitya Bisharad Auditorium of the academy. Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor inaugurated the workshop on June 17.
Noted Indian historian-researcher Professor Gautam Bhadra delivered a lecture on the topic while director general of Bangla Academy, Professor Shamsuzzaman Khan, presided over the event held on June 23 and 24.
“The search for Gopal Bha(n)rh is a continuation of my study of folk culture. I have been conducting research on Gopal Bha(n)rh for over a decade. There is a debate on whether Gopal Bha(n)rh is a real character or an imaginary one. Whatever the debate, no one can ignore the character in the history of Bengali culture; because through the character, many skits, witty, humorous, incongruent and imaginative tales of Bengali society have been expressed. The relation between the royal court and Bha(n)rh (court jester) is inseparable. The physical or imaginary presence of Gopal Bha(n)rh in the royal court of Krishnachnadra turns out to be the aroused conscience, the satirical essence of contemporary injustice of society. It is necessary to explore the Bha(n)rh - type characters like Birbal, Molla Nasiruddin Hodja and Tenali Raman in a contemporary historical setting so that we can unearth various aspects of our national culture through these characters. Dhakaiites' humour needs to be scrutinised in this regard,” said Gautam Bhadra.
 Professor Shamsuzzaman Khan expressed the hope that the lecture would add a new dimension to folklore research.             
Thirty five researchers are taking part in the 10-dayworkshop and seminar.