Women, writing and Dhaka
The general conception that only women of the then Kolkata contributed to a flourishing of Bangla literature will need to be revised through a reading of the research-based Shahitya-Shadhonai Dhakar Nari by Prof Bhishmadeb Choudhury. A slim work yet pregnant with a load of information, it is a must read for the people involved with Bangla literature as well as the historic perspective of Dhaka, a four-century old city and today the capital of Bangladesh.
In the preface, the writer explains the context of the writing of the book, which is that it was originally an assignment from the Asiatic Society. An essay was to be included in the Society's anthology on the completion of the four hundredth anniversary of Dhaka. The writer makes it known that the work is an extended form of that article. Obviously, the reader is benefited by it. And here is the reason why.
The book focuses on the different eras of Bangla literature and the role of the women of Dhaka in those times --- the ancient and middle ages, the nineteenth century and the twentieth century. As is usual and expected, the last century has been divided into four phases: 1901-1920, 1921-1947, 1948-1970 and 1971-2000. At the end, there is a chapter which covers the first decade of the twenty first century. A seven-page article covers the entirety of the ancient and middle ages, while the rest of the book focuses on the twentieth century, along with a page and a half given over to the recently gone decade.
The first chapter of the book gives sketchy images of such women poets as Chandravati (1550-?), Hemlata Devi (seventeenth century), et al. There can be little doubt that the long list relating to the nineteenth century can easily give rise to the knowledge that we have had so many authors from among the female sex. We also had Rupjalal, by Faizunnesa Choudhurani (1834-1903), something about which any Bengali can be proud. Published in 1876, it is considered to be a pioneering work from the world of Dhaka women.
Let us not forget that it was Dhaka which produced such prestigious periodicals as Bandhob in 1874. But before that, edited by Kaliprasanna Ghosh (1843-1910), there had been many newspapers and periodicals from Dhaka and other district towns of the then eastern Bengal. Let us not forget that it was East Bengal from where Dhaka Prokash was published in 1861. However, before that there were many other periodicals from such places as Bikrampur, Jessore, Mymensingh and Sylhet. All these are mentioned with a view to suggesting that there were many periodicals also which promoted writing by women. The subject thus demands a deeper study into women's writings in the nineteenth century from Dhaka. We believe a further study can only add to Sanghamitra Chowdhury's findings in her book Adhunik Bangla Shahitye Mohila Rochito Rochonar Kromobikash (Chronology of the Writings of Women in Modern Bengali Literature, Kolkatata, 2002), which have been cited at length by Bhishmadeb.
The chapter on the period 1901-1920 has pointed out many hitherto unknown facts, including the publication of a periodical called Protibha. This monthly, subsequently turned into a quarterly, periodical was the journal of the Dhaka Shahitya Parishad. It was published from 1912 for nineteen years but could not draw the attention of the historians on Dhaka to date. We get the citation of Hariprabha Takeda (1890-1972), and her book Bongoromonira Japan Jatra (Visit to Japan by a Bengali Woman, Dhaka, 1915) along with updated information centering on the book. And thus the thin volume of Shahitya-Shadhonai Dhakar Nari turns out to be a treasure trove for readers.
The following eras, such as 1921 to 1947, 1948 to 1970 and 1971 to 2000, have been substantiated with necessary elaboration. It seems no significant women writers have been left out and Bhishmadeb's work becomes a useful handbook for readers who are eager about the historic development of Bengali women's contributions to the literary arena in Bengal, particularly in the eastern part of it.
It is a well researched book, though often it appears to be a mere list of writers and books. Many a time the huge number of footnotes causes agony as well. One assumes the writer wanted to make the book authentic and more informative, which could not have been done in any other way.
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