Rabindranath Tagore occupies a unique and everlasting place in the history of Bengali literature, culture, and humanist thought. Through his poetry, songs, stories, essays, and philosophy, he not only shaped the intellectual consciousness of the Bengali mind but also firmly established Indian culture on the global stage. His creative works continue to be an eternal source of inspiration for humanity, freedom, and creative thought.
At one time, Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay edited the journal Bangadarshan with the noble objective of leading Bengali literature along the path of progress. Rabindranath Tagore regarded this purpose of Bankimchandra with deep respect and acknowledged its greatness. It was this realization that inspired Rabindranath to undertake the initiative to revive Bangadarshan. He did not wish to confine the journal merely to Bankimchandra’s era; rather, he envisioned establishing Bangadarshan as an ideal literary model for all time.
Although several comprehensive research works and books have already been published on the journals Sadhana and Bharati, no complete research volume had so far been devoted to the monthly literary journal Nabaparyay Bangadarshan—a journal on which Rabindranath spent more time as editor than on any of the other periodicals he edited. To fill this significant gap, researcher Dr. Shibani Bandyopadhyay undertook the task of composing this important scholarly work.
The research volume is divided into a total of fourteen chapters. The first chapter, titled “Preface / Bangadarshan of Bankimchandra and His Time: Through Rabindranath’s Eyes,” discusses Rabindranath’s perspective on Bangadarshan edited by Bankimchandra and examines the historical and important role the journal played in Bengali literature.
It may be noted that Dr. Shibani Bandyopadhyay received her Doctorate degree from Burdwan University in 1986. The suggestion to publish her research thesis in book form was given by Professor Amitrasudan Bhattacharya, under whose supervision the research was completed. In this context, then current the name of the Head of the Department of Bengali at Burdwan University, the late Jibendra Singh Ray, is gratefully remembered. Professor Amitrasudan Bhattacharya’s valuable guidance and advice have placed the researcher deeply in his debt.
Encouraged by the sincere enthusiasm of Shri Subodh Kumar Bandyopadhyay, the author became interested in composing this book, while Shri Prabodh Kumar Bandyopadhyay extended assistance in collecting information. At the request and insistence of Smt. Shilpita Bandyopadhyay and Smt. Sunrita Bandyopadhyay, the final conceptualization of the work was completed. The title of the book is:
“RABIKARE NABARUPE BANGADARSHAN”
The formal launch of this important research volume will take place on 11 January 2026 at ITC Royal Bengal, Kolkata.
Distinguished guests who will grace the occasion include:
Nrisingha Prasad Bhaduri (Retired Professor, author, and scholar of Indian epics and Puranas),Debashis Chand (Author, art critic, and Senior Sub-Editor of Aajkaal),Dr. Kusagradhi Ghosh (Director, Institute of Fetal Medicine),
Debanjan Mondal & Sanchari Mondal (Founder, Roy & Martin).
0 Comments