Selected Poems with an Introduction, Chronology, and Glossary

In stock

Free & Quick Delivery Worldwide

Jibanananda Das (1899-1954) is one of the most important poets of Bengal. Nevertheless, he remains a poet little known outside West Bengal and Bangladesh. Perhaps due to the absence of competent translations into English and other languages, Das’s achievement as a poet remains unrepresented in world literature. This selection of poems is designed to emphasize how Das’s poems are great treasures of our literature through the medium of translation. Fakrul Alam’s uniquely competent English translations also mark the birth centenary celebrations of Jibanananda Das this year (1999). Lovers of poetry outside the Bengali-speaking world should get a sense of the richness of Das’s poetry, his growth as a poet, and the extra ordinary range of his work through these translations. Many attempts have been made to translate Jibanananda Das’s poems earlier, some successful but mostly unsuccessful. They have either been academic and overly literal, or flat in terms of capturing the cadence of the original language. Here are fresh translations that attempt to bring out the textures of classical and vernacular speech of the time, sensuousness of imagery, and clarity of context of the Bengali original. These versions are extremely faithful in terms of the content of Jibanananda Das’s Bangla poems. It is evident through Fakrul Alam’s new translations that there is great generosity of heart in his endeavour. This book will be invaluable to both scholars and general lovers of poetry—and how can one possibly not recommend Jibanananda Das’s genius.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jibanananda Das

Poet Jibanananda Das (1899-1954) was born at Barisal town (now in Bangladesh). Education at B.M. School and B.M. College, he graduated from the Presidency College. Calcutta and got his M>A. degree in English from the University of Calcutta. He worked as lecturer in English in city College. Calcutta, B.M. college. Barisal and for brief periods in some other colleges including Ramjas College, Delhi. While working as the head of the department of English at girls college, Howrah, he died (of the after-effects) of a tram accident in Calcutta on the 22nd October 1954. Published Works: During his life time his published works include (1) Jhara Palak (Fallen off Leathers) 1927, (ii) dhusar Pandulipi (Grey manuscript). 1936, (iii) Banalata Sen (1942) and its English translation by writers workshop in 1962, (iv) Satti tarar timir (The Darkness of Seven Stars) 1948 and (vi) Srestha Kavita (Best Poems) 1954. His posthumous publications include: Poetry: (i) Rupasi Bangla (beauteous Bengal) 1957. (ii) Bela, Abela O Kalbela (Time, In-Time, Inauspicious time) 1961, (ii) Sudarshana, 1973, (iv) Monbihangam (the Mind-Bird) 1978, (v0 alo Prithwi (The World of Light) 1982 and (vi) Kabya Granth abali (Book of Poetry) 1970. Stories and Novels: (vii) Jibanananda daser galpa (stories of Jibanananda Das) 1972, (viii) Malyaban (1973) and (ix) sutirtha, 1976.

reviews

0 in total

There are no reviews yet.

Bibliographic information

Title
Selected Poems with an Introduction, Chronology, and Glossary
Author
Edition
1st Ed.
Publisher
ISBN
9840515039
Length
xii+156p.
Subjects