Jeevanisathya (Bengali Version)

Book Details

• Author: Santanu Gangopadhyay
• Publisher: Bangiya Sahitya Samsad
• Language: Bengali
• ISBN: 9789382012481

About the Book

Jeevanisathya (Bengali Version) is a pioneering work of literary criticism that examines the theory, practice, and critical significance of biographical literature in both Bengali and world literature. Authored by Santanu Gangopadhyay, the book fills a significant gap in Bengali literary studies by presenting one of the first comprehensive explorations of biography as an independent literary genre and a subject of critical inquiry.

Although the tradition of writing biographies has a long history in Bengali literature, systematic critical studies devoted to biography have remained remarkably limited. This volume addresses that absence by investigating the nature, evolution, possibilities, and challenges of biographical writing. Drawing upon examples from both Bengali and international literary traditions, the author demonstrates that biography is not merely a record of facts but a sophisticated literary form that stands at the intersection of history, literature, psychology, and cultural studies.

One of the central questions explored in the book is the literary identity of biography itself. Is biography a branch of history, a scientific documentation of human life, an artistic creation, or a unique hybrid genre? Through rigorous analysis and thoughtful discussion, the author examines these questions while highlighting the distinctive characteristics that make biography a compelling and intellectually rich form of writing.

The volume also traces the development of biographical literature and its critical reception, showing how international scholarship has established biography as an important field of literary criticism. In contrast, Bengali literary criticism has largely overlooked this area. By introducing modern critical approaches and comparative perspectives, the book seeks to establish a new direction in Bengali literary studies and encourage greater academic engagement with life writing.

Based on more than a decade of dedicated research, Jeevanisathya (Bengali Version) presents a balanced evaluation of the strengths, limitations, methodologies, and ethical challenges associated with biographical writing. Its evidence-based analysis, independent perspective, and scholarly depth have earned it recognition as a landmark contribution to Bengali criticism of biography and life writing.

Written in an accessible yet academically rigorous style, the book is an invaluable resource for students, researchers, teachers, and readers interested in literary criticism, biography, autobiography, historiography, Bengali literature, and comparative literary studies. It stands as an essential reference for anyone seeking to understand biography not only as a historical document but also as a vibrant and dynamic literary genre.