Bangla Lok Sahitya Charchar Itihas by Barun Kumar Chakraborty Bengali PDF.
Title — Bangla Lok Sahitya Charchar Itihas (History of Bengali Folk Literature Practice),
Edited by — Barun Kumar Chakraborty,
Genre — Lok Katha (Folklore),
Book Format — PDF, Pages— 655,
The History of Bengali Folk Literature Practice – A Landmark Study by Dr. Barun Kumar Chakraborty
The literary history of Bengal is incomplete without acknowledging the powerful role of its folk traditions. Though modern Bengali literature has long celebrated great poets, writers, and dramatists, folk literature—rooted in the lives and voices of ordinary people—remained on the margins for many years. This gap has been thoughtfully bridged by renowned cultural scholar Dr. Barun Kumar Chakraborty in his monumental work Bangla Lok Sahitya Charchar Itihas (History of Bengali Folk Literature Practice.)
This book stands as a meticulously researched, scientifically structured, and artistically enriched contribution to the literary and cultural history of Bengal.
A Two-Hundred-Year Journey of Folk Literature
The study of Bengali folk literature began nearly two centuries ago and continues to thrive today. For a long time, the lack of a comprehensive historical account of this vast tradition was deeply felt by the educated community. Dr. Chakraborty addressed this need by documenting the evolution, collection, and academic development of Bengali folk literature. His book is more than just a chronicle—it is an insightful analysis of how folk literature gradually found its rightful place in the history of Bengali literature.
Early Efforts and Missionary Contributions
The earliest attempts to collect Bengali folk materials can be traced back to the early nineteenth century. Christian missionaries like William Carey, Long, and Morton initiated significant collection efforts. However, their work remained largely unacknowledged within mainstream Bengali society at the time, and their roles were mostly confined to that of collectors rather than interpreters.
Interestingly, this historical process paralleled developments in Europe—particularly in Germany, where the Grimm Brothers published their first volume of folk tales in 1812, marking a new era of folk literature study worldwide.
Rabindranath Tagore and the Awakening of Cultural Consciousness
Bengali folk literature received its true recognition when Rabindranath Tagore brought it to public attention. In 1301 Bengali year (1894–95), the publication of “Banglar Chele Bholano Chhora” (Children’s Rhymes of Bengal) in the journal of Bangiya Sahitya Parishad astonished the educated Bengali society. What had been considered common and unworthy of literary attention was suddenly seen in a new, artistic light.
Tagore’s efforts sparked a cultural awakening. Writers and collectors rushed to document rhymes, riddles, songs, and folk tales. Names like Kazi Nazrul Islam, Jasimuddin, Dakshinaranjan Mitra Majumdar, and Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury became household figures, their work carrying folk heritage into both national and international spheres.
From the Margins to the Mainstream
For centuries, these vibrant cultural expressions—songs, proverbs, fairy tales, riddles, and oral histories—remained confined to rural Bengal. But with Tagore’s initiative and the efforts of later scholars, Bengali folk culture gained renewed vigor. Dr. Chakraborty’s research carefully analyzes this journey of transformation, illustrating how forgotten voices were revived to shape a collective cultural identity.
Academic Recognition and Modern Research
Folk literature, once dismissed as “unwritten tradition,” has now earned academic respect. It is studied at universities, preserved in archives, and celebrated in cultural festivals. Dr. Chakraborty’s book not only documents this process but also examines the intellectual contributions of early collectors like William Carey and later visionaries like Tagore. His work highlights the continuity between past and present, showing how folk culture remains a living and evolving force.
An Exceptional Scholarly Contribution
Esteemed literary critic Professor Asit Kumar Bandyopadhyay has praised this book for blending historical accuracy with artistic sensibility. Indeed, “History of Bengali Folk Literature Practice” stands out for its solid research foundation, use of primary sources, and critical perspective. It does not merely narrate events but contextualizes them within broader cultural, historical, and literary movements.
Conclusion
Dr. Barun Kumar Chakraborty’s “History of Bengali Folk Literature Practice” is more than a scholarly text—it is a cultural treasure. It revives a rich, vibrant tradition that belongs not just to Bengal but to the shared heritage of humanity. By documenting this journey, the book ensures that the folk voices of Bengal continue to resonate in contemporary academic discourse and cultural consciousness.
For students, researchers, and anyone interested in the roots of Bengali culture, this work is an indispensable resource—one that connects the past with the present and ensures a legacy for the future.
