Bangla Loksahityacharchar Pratham Yug O Asutosh Mukhopadhyay (Bengali Version)

Book Details

• Author: Manoj Mondal
• Publisher: Bangiya Sahitya Samsad
• Language: Bengali
• ISBN: 9789385131905

About the Book

Bangla Loksahityacharchar Pratham Yug O Asutosh Mukhopadhyay (Bengali Version) is a pioneering scholarly work that re-evaluates the life, contributions, and enduring legacy of Asutosh Mukhopadhyay, one of the earliest and most significant pioneers of Bengali folklore studies. While his remarkable contributions to the collection and preservation of Bengal's oral traditions have often remained overlooked, this volume restores his rightful place in the history of Bengali folk literature.

The book presents the first comprehensive assessment of Asutosh Mukhopadhyay's contribution to Bengali folklore research. It highlights his pioneering role as the compiler of one of the earliest collections of Bengali nursery rhymes, his efforts in publishing Bengali folk tales for the first time, and his groundbreaking work in collecting and preserving traditional ghost stories that had previously survived only through oral transmission. These achievements established an important foundation for the academic study of Bengali folk literature.

Beyond his work in folklore, the author also examines Asutosh Mukhopadhyay's contributions to mainstream literary scholarship, demonstrating that his achievements extended well beyond the collection of oral traditions. By placing his literary and folkloric work within its historical context, the book offers a balanced appreciation of his influence on the development of Bengali literary culture.

A major strength of the volume is its exploration of the formative period of Bengali folklore studies. Manoj Mondal traces the evolution of the discipline during its earliest phase, discussing the intellectual climate, research methods, major contributors, and defining characteristics of this pioneering era. Through this historical perspective, readers gain a deeper understanding of how folklore emerged as an important field of academic inquiry in Bengal.

Combining literary history, folklore studies, cultural history, and archival research, Bangla Loksahityacharchar Pratham Yug O Asutosh Mukhopadhyay fills an important gap in the study of Bengali folklore. It not only honors a neglected scholar but also documents the early development of a discipline that has played a vital role in preserving Bengal's intangible cultural heritage.

An essential resource for students, researchers, folklorists, literary historians, and readers interested in Bengali cultural studies, this book offers valuable insights into the origins of Bengali folklore scholarship and the remarkable contributions of one of its earliest pioneers.