Bengali literature
Introduction
Bengali literature (Bengali: বাংলা সাহিত্য) refers to the body of literary works written in the Bengali language, a major Indo-Aryan language spoken in the Indian subcontinent. It has a rich history that dates back to the 11th century, with the emergence of its earliest known form, Charyapada, a collection of Buddhist mystic songs.
Early Bengali Literature (11th Century - 17th Century)
The early period of Bengali literature was marked by the mystic poetry of the Charyapada, composed by the Siddhacharyas, Buddhist philosopher-poets. The themes of these poems revolved around the philosophy of Buddhism and Tantrism. The period also saw the emergence of secular poetry in the form of Mangalkavya, a genre of epic poems that narrated the myths and legends associated with Hindu deities.
Middle Bengali Literature (17th Century - 19th Century)
The middle period of Bengali literature was characterized by the development of various forms of verse and prose. The Vaishnava Padavali, a collection of devotional songs dedicated to Lord Krishna, became popular during this period. The period also witnessed the emergence of Shakta Padavali, dedicated to the worship of Goddess Kali.
Modern Bengali Literature (19th Century - Present)
The modern period of Bengali literature began with the British colonial rule in India. This period saw the emergence of various literary movements, such as the Bengal Renaissance and the Kallol movement. The period was marked by the works of several prominent Bengali authors, including Rabindranath Tagore, Kazi Nazrul Islam, and Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
Bengali Poetry
Bengali poetry has a rich tradition, with its roots in the Charyapada and the Vaishnava Padavali. The modern period of Bengali poetry was marked by the works of Rabindranath Tagore, who was the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature for his collection of poems, Gitanjali.
Bengali Prose
Bengali prose developed during the British colonial rule, with the translation of English and other European literature into Bengali. The modern period of Bengali prose was marked by the works of authors like Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, and Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay.
Bengali Drama
Bengali drama has a rich history, with its roots in the religious and folk theatre forms of Bengal. The modern period of Bengali drama was marked by the works of several prominent playwrights, including Girish Chandra Ghosh, Rabindranath Tagore, and Badal Sircar.
Bengali Novel
The Bengali novel emerged during the 19th century, with the works of authors like Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and Rabindranath Tagore. The genre further developed during the 20th century, with the works of authors like Manik Bandopadhyay, Tarashankar Bandopadhyay, and Mahasweta Devi.