Book Details
Title: Selected Charyapada
Editor and Compiler: Anupam Hasan
Publication Date: February 2015
Pages: 120
Genre: Poetry Collection
Price: 1.5 USD
Publisher: Shobha Prokashoni
The song from Satyajit Ray’s film Hirak Rajar Deshe keeps echoing in my mind:
“So many wonders I see in this world,
Oh brother, oh brother,
So many wonders I see in this world…
Whichever way I look,
I’m left astonished,
I can’t find the meaning, oh brother,
I can’t find the meaning…”
Indeed, it’s true! In this ultra-modern world of Facebook, so much is happening from one corner of the globe to another. Events and incidents unfold, and sometimes, when I revisit old films or read books by Nimai Bhattacharya, Falguni Mukhopadhyay, or Buddhadeb Basu, I can’t help but shudder. Another song comes to mind: “The world has changed, everything I see feels new.” The new wonders I encounter truly leave me amazed. The once ethereal world has slowly become a material one, tainted by self-interest everywhere. We’ve lost so much of the old days, but do we still find the essence that was present in the songs, films, and writings of those times? Much of what we see today feels borrowed or cheap, like stale art and literature.
Now, let’s come to the main discussion. The nostalgic musings about the old and new were somewhat deliberate. Amidst the thousands of Bangla stories and novels we write and read daily, do we know when Bangla literature began or that its vast treasure trove spans four distinct eras? Yes, four eras:
- Ancient Era (650–1200 CE)
- Medieval Era (1201–1800 CE)
- Modern Era (1801–1990 CE)
- Postmodern Era (1990 CE onwards)
Our vast literary heritage began with the hands of enlightened Buddhist monks and Sahajiya practitioners. They crafted the oldest relic of Bangla literature, the Charyapada. Many may have heard the name, but have we ever explored it? The Charyapada goes by several names, such as Charyacharyavinishchaya, Charyagitikosha, or Charyagiti. These are essentially lyrical poems centered on religious themes, contemporary lifestyles, love songs, and more. In 1907, Mahamahopadhyay Haraprasad Shastri discovered the Charyapada manuscript in Nepal’s royal library, containing 51 poems by 24 poets. The script is hard to recognize as Bangla, as it was written in a proto-Bangla form called Sandhya Bhasha (Twilight Language).
Summary
Selected Charyapada is a detailed analysis of 15 specially chosen poems. These poems are selected to provide insight into the lives of ancient people. Each poem is beautifully explained, bringing out its profound essence. The first chapter covers the discovery of the Charyapada, the debate over its composition period, its historical context, the origin of its name, its rhetorical features, and metrical style. The second chapter introduces the 15 poets, though debates persist about their number and identities.
Language Analysis
The author notes that the book was written with university students studying Bangla in mind, making it highly accessible and easy to read. Those eager to learn can breeze through it effortlessly. The analysis of each poem is written in simple, fluid language. Since many words in the Charyapada are unfamiliar, their etymological meanings are provided at the end of each poem, along with prose translations and metaphorical interpretations. Additionally, modern poetic renditions of these ancient verses are skillfully crafted throughout the book.
Reading Experience
I bought this book at the 2018 book fair, but it sat on my shelf until I picked it up during the pandemic. As I read, I was immersed in a kind of enchantment. It was deeply satisfying, and I learned many unknown facts with ease. However, it’s true that only those interested in literary history will fully appreciate it. Since the book covers only 15 of the 51 poems, it sparks curiosity about the remaining ones, leaving readers restless and even a bit frustrated with the author for not including them. In one word: delightful.
Sample Poems
Charya No. 2 by Kukkuripa:
“By day, the crow fears the hawk,
At night, it goes to Kamrup…”
Charya No. 33:
“My house is shaky, no neighbors around,
No rice in the pot, always in distress…”
Charya No. 6:
“The deer is its own enemy with its flesh…”
Charya No. 32:
“The bangle on the hand, don’t show it to the mirror…”
Why Read It?
Read it for the satisfaction of your soul, to quench the hunger of your spirit, to unravel the mystery of Bangla literature’s origins, and to understand the lifestyle and thoughts of our ancient ancestors.