Reviewed By: Dr Mohammad Aleem, Editor, ICN Group
Published by: Rubric Publishing, New Delhi
Among two dozen prominent Indian languages, Bengali holds huge respect. There are many reasons behind it. The most prominent is the kind of literature it has produced so far and the level of writers it sent on the world stage like Rabindranath Tagore, who was the first Asian recipient of Nobel Prize in literature. No any other Indian writers of any language could achieve that level even after passing almost a century so far since getting this coveted award.
Apart from Tagore, there are others who still illumine on the firmament of literary scene of India and the world. Some among very modern writers who have made their visible marks like Amitav Ghosh, Jhumpa Lahiri and scores of others.
But Bengali literature is still known and revered due to its classic treasures. The stalwarts like Bankim Chandar Chattophadhyay, Sarat Chandra Chattopadhayay, Bibuti Bhushan Bandyopadhayay etc.
The book, “Music Box and Moonshine: Famous Bengali Short Stories in Translation” by Partha Banarjee has brought an exquisite bouquet of the great stories by great writers. Many among them are those who are less known outside of the arena of Bengal like Sayed Mujtaba Ali, Leela Majumdar, Rashid Karim and Parashuram etc., but their stories have similar power to entice and attract the serious readers as the great writers do whenever you stumble upon their short stories and novels.
This book has 18 stories, some a bit long and most of them are short in size. It is easy to read and comprehend in English translation because the translator has very painstakingly done his job. He could do it so well because he himself is a Bengala speaking and holds equal command over the target language.
This book has a beautiful start with a very fine poem of the most famous Bengal poet, Kazi Nazrul Islam:
When the nightshade sheds it petals
down the flowering dune
You showed up and bowed your harp
playing the morning tune
After the beautiful rendition of this alluring poem, the translator writes about the purpose of his work and the motive behind taking so much pain in translating these stories afresh in English. Most of the writers have already been translated before on a large scale in English like Tagore, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhayay and Bibhuti Bhushan Bandyopadhayay etc. But these translations have a new charm and a new rendition of the texts.
He writes: “I always knew that there was a vast readership out there carving to be acquired more with the Indian subcontinent and its cultural heritage, the audience being not just the Americans and other English speaking communities, but also the new generation South Asian youth with English as their language. I would sincerely hope this collection of stories from the great land of Bengal, one with never ending flow of poetry, art and literature, satisfied their artistic and literary quest.”
The stories chosen in this anthology are simple tales of love and human dignity. The story tellers had decided to narrate mankind’s desire to live a morally upright life that holds on to love and compassion even against extreme odds.
Dr Partha Banerjee, the esteemed translator lives in New York. He works there as a writer, educator, media critic and musician.
Rubric Publishhing, New Delhi as it has successfully made its distinct identity in quality book publishing in recent days, published this book with similar sincerity as it is known for.
