Bis Sataker Bangla Prabandhacharja (1948–2000) (Bengali Version)

Book Details

• Authors: Rita Modak & Utpal Mondal
• Publisher: Bangiya Sahitya Samsad
• Language: Bengali
• ISBN: 9789385131585

About the Book

Bis Sataker Bangla Prabandhacharja (1948–2000) (Bengali Version) is a comprehensive work of literary criticism that examines the evolution of Bengali essay writing in the post-Independence era. Authored by Rita Modak and Utpal Mondal, the book traces the development of Bengali prose essays from 1948 to 2000, presenting a rich intellectual history of a period marked by profound social, political, economic, and cultural transformation.

The volume explores how the changing realities of post-Independence Bengal found expression in the essay as a literary form. The decades following India's Independence witnessed rapid shifts in society, politics, economics, and global affairs, all of which shaped the thoughts and writings of Bengali intellectuals. Through detailed analysis, the book demonstrates how essays became an important medium for interpreting contemporary events, expressing personal reflections, and critically examining the aspirations, achievements, and disappointments of Bengali society.

A distinguishing feature of the book is its broad thematic scope. It investigates essays dealing with literature, culture, history, economics, politics, philosophy, and social change, illustrating the remarkable diversity of Bengali prose during the second half of the twentieth century. The authors reveal how essayists responded to both national and international developments while engaging with the evolving identity of post-Independence Bengal.

The book also includes insightful critical discussions on the essays of eminent thinkers and writers such as Muhammad Shahidullah, Jibanananda Das, Hiteshranjan Sanyal, Bhavatosh Datta, Amartya Sen, and several other distinguished intellectuals. By examining their writings within their historical and cultural contexts, the study highlights the intellectual richness and interdisciplinary nature of Bengali essay literature during this transformative period.

Written in an accessible yet scholarly style, Bis Sataker Bangla Prabandhacharja (1948–2000) (Bengali Version) is an invaluable resource for students, researchers, teachers, and readers interested in Bengali literature, literary criticism, modern intellectual history, and cultural studies. Its comprehensive coverage and analytical depth make it an important contribution to the study of twentieth-century Bengali prose and the evolving tradition of Bengali essay writing.