From Narayanganj, Dacca, to 30 Park Road ,Allahabad to 7 University Road , Delhi, via Roop Nagar. Finally coming to rest in dusty unsorted heaps on four steel shelves , up on the third floor barsati of our house in B.D. Estate, called ambitiously Bhaskar's studio /study/ workshop.
Not all the books can claim hoary lineage . There are acquisitions belonging to all the decades from the 20s.
From Ma's bedside and the wooden shelves in her ground floor room, books have been transported here to reside amidst the hugger-mugger of colour splashes of paintings, half painted brilliant clay jars , clatter of wood working, metal working tools on worktables. Artwork are pinned up on boards, on walls, some floating around on sketchbook sheets under or over tables. Copious amounts of Delhi dust homogenises everything.
Two grey steel shelves nearby are loaded with National Geographic copies dating from the 40s to 80s, History of the Second World War in 6 volumes , People and Animals 8 volumes, Book of Knowledge 8 volumes and various other sets collected by Dr Dutt ,the late owner of the house , representing the intellectual interests of a previous generation. Here in this room books cohabit in cheerful democratic huddles -a long line of Frederic Forsyth, Robin Cook thrillers, Enid Blyton's stories, collections of fairy Tales, children's books, historical fiction ,science fiction, all jostle for space, needing a determined hand to arrange them.
The new Mahabharat serial on television has sparked my curiosity about ancient India, and I have discovered a huge cavern in my knowledge of culture. I climbed up the steep stairs of this old house, in search of a copy of "Otisundor Bharat' -following a dim memory of a worn out book. I think this book maybe a translation of A. L.Basham's " The Wonder that was India" ; let me begin my study with my home resources I think .
The Bangla shelf induces despair. A whole afternoon's digging, wiping, dusting with the heat coming in from the roof waits for me before Ma's books will identify themselves. The lowest shelf gives evidence of being the nursing home for generations of geckos. Lots of eggshells there.Many books being lifted shower fine yellow dust, and tiny holes to show they have been hospitable to insects.
Nothing for it. I get down to business. Start taking out piles and roughly sort in groups on the floor, according to subjects . Hm- poetry here - among 15 titles ,'Adhunik Bangla Kobita' ,'Boishnob Podaboli' along with "Kalidaser Meghdoot', a torn copy of "Atul Prosader Gan'. This proves very tiresome. There are soon tottering piles on the floor. I keep forgetting where I put a book by a writer when I come upon another one by the same person. After years of free unorganised existense Ma's books are resisting regimentation.
Often have I disdained the obsession with Tagore's work amongst Bengalis ,especially in Delhi. But I find together Ma and I have allowed 'Kobiguru' to occupy major space allover the house.An army of maroon with gold lettering hardbound volumes published by Viswabharati in the 40s of 'Robibabu's' work, and also of Saratchandra Chatterjee ,line up at the back of one shelf. Two fat Green volumes with gold lettering of Bonkim Chandra Chatterji's works join the cosy club of Bangla canonical literature. A set of 17 to 16 volumes in ochre with chocolate bands, of Tagore's works, bought by me on his centenary, flank the older volumes.I know downstairs there are other thick volumes , English translations of Tagore of more recent vintage -a Harvard publication ,with its Asian edition from Viswabharati - 'The Essential Tagore' ,also Sahitya Akademi's translation in 2 volumes. Here on the roof however, the 3 giants of Bangla literature demand that I gather first all their works scattered here .
Ten small paperbacks ,lovingly covered in white glossy paper, have ' Bela Dutta' in Bangla in Ma's hand, written on top corner of inside covers. Individual books of poetry by Tagore, stories by Saratchandra and Bonkim.: sample of a few titles in random order- 'Shishu', 'Kheya','Mrinalini' ,' Anandamath', 'Pollisomaj'. These are books gifted to the bride ,on Ma's wedding , in the 1920s. No doubt these were the germ of her 'boi' collection. I could see 18 year old Belarani, sitting in Allahabad home while Baba was at the university, covering her assorted literary possessions carefully.
Post Bengal Rennaisance, friends & young relatives of the groom, enthusiastically gifted these ,as elegant ,cultured offerings. At Rs 2/ or 3/, they were youth pocket friendly. Ma was an object of interest to Baba's friends, having completed high School at 14, an 'educated' bride. Though at wane,the tradition lasted till my wedding in late 60s, where a copy of 'Sanchayita' was added to the Tagore dominance.
The Classical shelf restored, time to turn to Bangla writers of the last 50 years. All major names are represented. Ma's collection reflects the growth of modern Bangla fiction . Anurupa Debi ,once popular woman writer is here, though except for Taslima Nasreen's 3 books, a late gift from me, women writers are a little scarce.Perhaps Ma was influenced by the highbrow ' Desh' magazine, which serialised many 'blockbuster' fiction. Tarshankar Bandopadhay seems to have been most favoured, 20 titles monopolise shelf space. Next loved was Bibhutubhushan Bandopadhay, writer of 'Pather Panchali' - at least 10 titles. Sunil Gangopadhay, Shankar, Bonophul ,Avadhoot, Bimal Mitra,Jarashondho and many very famous writers are present with not less than 4 works each. From vertical piles on the floor, i have to transfer them as vertical piles on the shelves. The only gain being they are categorised now .
There are Collections of ' Shreshttho Golpo' ( Best stories) or 'Nirbachito Golpo' ( Selected stories) by well known writers. An interesting volume is one on translations of Best Urdu Stories. Iconic Bengali journals , 'Shonibarer Chithi', 'Bosumoti' - are present in contemporary selections.
The books reveal what a lively intellect Ma had, keenly interested in various subjects.On the lowest shelf, I try to accommodate all her non-fiction. Cheiros Palmistry in 4 books, Freud's psychology, space, geography, astronomy ,lots of travel books( including the famous 3 volume 'Ramyani Bikkho' ), a biography of Sri Radha , a book on Badshahi era, esoteric Tantric cults,criminology ( Aparadh Bigyan) - difficult to list here all her wide interests. She loved biographies ,it seems;. four volumes of Vivekananda's life, on Ma Sharada, Ramakrishna , and others. Esoteric Indian cults were another interest. I mark several books to read . A full shelf ,in two rows and two tiers, can hardly contain all these books.
'Stay there' - till I lay hands on you again.
Classification, grouping of authors , cleaning of dog eared brown volumes with pages missing ( a discouraging task) , has consumed the afternoon. I descend downstairs , with 2 volumes of the famous ' "Tontrabhilasir Sadhusongo' ( A Scholar's Encounters with Tantriks ) under my arm.Nothing like weird stories about how bhairavis are acquired and about mad dwellers of cremation grounds to while away hot summer afternoons. "Otisundor Bharat" has departed this no longer 'sundor' environment in the Kabariwala's bag, it appears.
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Wonderful post!
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