Novels in Bengal


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Novels in Bengal

Novels in Bengal: In the 19th century, the early Bengali novels showed two world Many of them were based on the past, with their characters, even and love stories based on historical events. Another group of novels depicted the inner world of domestic life in contemporary setting. The old merchant elite of Calcutta patronised public forms of entertainment such as Kabirlarai (poetry contests), musical soirees (parties) and dance performances.

 

Novels of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay: Novels were read individually and could also be read in selected groups. Sometimes Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay would host a Jatra (popular folk-theatre form of Bengali theatre) in the courtyard where the members of the family would be gathered. In Bankim's Chandra's room, a group of his literary friends gathered to read discuss and judge contemporary literary works.

 

Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's Durgeshnandini (1865), was his first novel, with which the Bengali novel achieved excellence. Initially, the Bengali novel used meyeli, the language associated women's speech. But this style was replaced by Bankim's prose which was Sanskritised and at the same time contained more vernacular style.

 

Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's Anandamath (1882) inspired the freedom fighters of national movement.

 

Kabirlarai :- A Bengali Word meaning extempore poetry contests among poets

 
 
 


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