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Mahabharata Related Works in Bengali
(Annotations by Shri Pradip Bhattacharya)
Complete Translations
Complete translation by Kali Prasanna Singha. Read an
article
by Shri Pradip Bhattacharya on this translator and the work.
Retellings
Fiction, Poem, Studies
Dr. Nrisinha Prasad Bhaduri
Amalesh Bhattacharya
Mahabharater Katha
(Aryabharati/Srinvantu, 1985).
A brilliantly illuminating journey through the intricacies of the epic
full of revealing insights.
Monoranjan Bhattacharya
Chakravyuha
first performed 1934 with the author in the role of Shakuni, with music by
Kazi Nazrul Islam. The theme is Shakuni's carefully plotted revenge on the
Kauravas for starving his father and brothers to death. He makes the dice
out of their bones. In a way, Krishna and Shakuni are partners. An English
translation of select passages by Pradip Bhattacharya is available here .
Dr Sukumari Bhattacharya
Ramayana & Mahabharata:
Anupatik Janapriyata
(Camp, 1996). A study in their comparative popularity and its reasons.
Buddhadeb Bose
Mahabharater Katha
(1974) Englished by Prof. Sujit Mukherjee as The Book of Yudhishthir
(Sangam Books, Hyderabad, 1986).
The first serious attempt to establish Yudhishthira as the protagonist of
the epic, which A. Hiltebeitel pursues in his Rethinking the
Mahabharata: The education of Yudhishthira (University of Chicago Press,
2001)
Excerpts from the Book of Yudhisthir
Jahnavi Kumar Chakravarti
Pitrikanya
(DM Library, 1981).
Possibly the only novel on Satyavati, portraying her as Acchoda reborn.
Dr Dipak Chandra
(all published by Dey's Publishing, Kolkata-700073)
- Srikrishna Purushotham (Srikrishna,
The Best of
Men) (1986)
An omnibus
comprising Sri Krishna in Indraprastha, Sri Krishna comes to Dwaraka and
Despondent
Sri Krishna that reconstructs the revolution brought about by the greatest
man of his time
who ruled over the hearts of people as ruler, warrior, statesman,
politician,
harbinger of
peace, loving friend and establisher of righteousness.
- Indraprasthey Srikrishna (Srikrishna
at
Indraprastha)(1979) [Hindi (1992)][English (1993)]
English
translation by Enakshi Chatterjee (New Bengal Press, Calcutta), Hindi
translation by Aloka Mukhopadhyay
(Vividh Bharati, Allahabad)
The political maelstrom of Kuru-Pandava squabbles at Hastinapur and
Indraprastha drags
in Krishna directly or indirectly, the curtain rising at Draupadi's
bridegroom-choice
contest. Then the entire chain of the Mahabharata events revolves
round Krishna's
diplomacy and political manoeuvrings, his dreams, political ambition and
pride of
authority.
- Srikrishna Elen Dwarakey
(Srikrishna Comes To Dwaraka)(1980)
Hindi
translation by Mandira Chakravarti (Vividh Bharati, Allahabad)
Sri Krishna built his new empire at Dwaraka, away from Mathura, freeing the
latter from
the tyranny and exploitation of Kansa. He did so much for the people of
Mathura, but he
could not live among them. He never sought to return there either. Why? With
this
question as its focal point the novel deals with contemporary politics,
social conditions,
corruption and conspiracy vis-a-vis the peoples' sufferings, endurance,
self-abnegation
and resistance to save Krishna.
- Vishanna Srikrishna (Downcast
Srikrishna) (1981)
Following the battle of Kurukshetra, Krishna introspects, searching for the
reasons
behind the fall of men. He sacrificed so much for the Yadavas, yet suspicion
encroached
upon faith, stark enmity shut out love till they ran at one another's
throats. The novel
depicts the tragedy of Krishna's life.
- Srikrishna Sundaram (Srikrishna,
Beauty
Epitomized) (1994)
An omnibus
comprising Mana Vrindavan, Krishnastu Bhagawan, Yadi Radha Na
Hoto and Krishna-Arjun Samvad covering the career of the great personality.
In a land that is dead and joyless only love can bless a people with
self-confidence and
faith. The music of Krishna's flute spreads all around to spread the message
of liberation
inspiring people to come out, overcoming fear, to accept the life eternal.
- Krishnastu Bhagawan (Krishna, The Lord
Himself)(1988) [ Hindi (1993)
A reverential treatment of the
conflicts and character traits through which Krishna's superhuman powers
uplifted him
from the position of an ordinary mortal to that of God.
- Krishna-Arjuna Samvada (Dialogue
between Krishna and Arjuna)(1991)
It describes the complex circumstances on the eve of the great battle of
Kurukshetra that
leads to Arjuna's terrible dejection. Krishna dispels his doubts and
conflicts one by one.
- Yadi Radha Na Hoto (If There Were No
Radha)(1985)
Radha-Krishna's eternal love story. Without Radha how could we ever find the
Krishna
the lover?
Mana Vrindavan (The Heart Lies in
Vrindavan) (1993)
The romantic life of Braja got lost in the sound and fury of political
conflict. When life
becomes a desert under the scorching heart of despair, casting aside all
pride Krishna's
heart thirsts for the land of Braja and his mind and heart veritably become
Vrindavan.
- Draupadi Chirantani (Draupadi, the
Eternal) (1982)
Hindi translation by Aloka
Mukhopadhyay (Vividh Bharati, Allahabad).
A psychological probe into. Draupadi's self-awareness, her deep love for
Arjuna, her
awareness of her father's dark reasons behind the holding of her swayamvara.
In the
political gambling she stands as a stake to ensure Yudhisthira's final
victory, a sacrifice to
political skulduggery.
- Kurukshetre Dwaipayana (Dwaipayana in
Kurukshetra) (1986)
This is not the Maharishi, but a down-to-earth character, full of malice and
hatred,
shrewdly entering Hastinapur politics as Satyavati's son. He sides with the
Pandavas to
avenge himself on Bhishma, guiding from behind the screen his son Vidura,
the Pandavas
and even Krishna himself.
- Gandhari, Kurukshetre Gandhari
(Gandhari in Kurukshetra)(1987) [Asamia (1996)]
Assamese
translation by Pranabpran Bhattacharya (Jyoti Prakashan, Guwahati)
The moving tale of Gandhari's predicament as a mother who has no sympathy
for her
own sons. She is the first mother to believe her enemies and blames the
misdeeds of the
Pandavas on her own son Duryodhana. She realises that taking advantage of
her simple
faith, she has been fooled.
- Urvashi Janani (Mother Urvashi)(1988)
A moving tale of the awakening of motherhood in the courtesan of heaven
whose infinite
variety and charm age could not steal. The empress of the Puru dynasty casts
off her
traditional womanliness and wealth to get lost in the world of men. To
please men, for the
sake of Pururava's political gains. Then she meets Arjuna who calls her
'Mother'.
- Ebong Ashwatthama (Therefore,
Ashwatthama) (1988)
The fall of Duryodhana does not draw the curtain on Kuru-Pandava rivalry.
Ashwatthama
re-kindles the hostility between Panchal and Hastinapur to take vengeance
for his father
Dronacharya's death. A gripping story of hermit Ashwatthama's conversion
into an
avenger.
- Tomari Naam Karna (Karna is your
name) (1989)
Based on the self-destructive struggle of illegitimate Karna against his
environs, his near
and dear ones, the mystery of his birth and his own conflicts. The novel
presents a Karna
of flesh and blood, very much alive in our own society.
- Pitamaha Bhishma (Grandfather Bhishma)
(1989)
The complete Bhishma - ascetic, politician, diplomat and manipulator, above
all, a
remarkable man of flesh and blood. Amba and Dwaipayan entered the life of
this
guardian of Hastinapur through the fissure of his vow to gratify his father.
They ruined
his life, but none could even catch a glimpse of his agonized heart atoning
for his errors
of commission and omission.
- Ashramkanya Shakuntala (Shakuntala,
daughter of a hermitage) (1990)
Bold and full of self-respect, she rears her child without anyone's help
like a modern
woman who knows how to rebel, true to herself.
- Mahabharate Shakuni (Shakuni in the
Mahabharata)(1991)
Was Shakuni really an unmitigated villain? A loving brother sacrificed
himself for the
sake of his sister and his land. A new Shakuni is shown here.
- Dwaipayane Duryodhan (Duryodhana in
Dwaipayana)(1992)
Faulty strategy brought about the fall or Duryodhana in the battle of
Kurukshetra. He
learnt from his mistakes in order to turn over a new leaf, but his fate is
battle, not victory.
Yet, the darkness of Fate did not engulf his great and noble life.
- Samrajni Kunti (Empress Kunti)
(1993)
Kunti's days of woe start the day she becomes Kunti from Pritha. How
inveterate was the
longing of this changed Pritha for becoming a king's mother and her lust for
vengeance!
Stopping at nothing to achieve her victory, she pauperises herself remorse
makes her
existence pitiable.
- Yojanagandha Satyavati (Satyavati,
fragrant for miles)(1997)
(part of SUDHASAGAR
TEEREY, "On the banks of the ocean of nectar")
A short story on the fisher-maid Satyavati who used her remarkable
intelligence to take
over the kingdom of Hastinapur. The collection also includes "Kuntir
Tarjani" (Kunti's
warning).
- Agnigarbha Khandav (Smouldering
Khandav) (2003)
The exploited and oppressed Nag tribes of Khandav forest driven out from
their land
launch terrorist attacks on the Pandava kingdom, killing their king
Parikshit through a
suicide squad. Their fury is reflected in today's separatist movements and
terrorist squads
of Kashmir and Afghanistan.
- Pandaver Mahaprastaner Pathey
(Following
The Route of the
Pandavas'
Great Departure)(2004)
On the road to Haridwar, Kedarnath, Badrinath following the trail of the
Pandavas' great
departure.
Also edited by Dr. Dipak Chandra :
Harivamsa,
Jagaddhitaya Sri Krishna.
Ashim Chattopadhyay
- Karuna Tomaye Kunti
(Modern Column, Calcutta)
- font color="blue"> Svanamey Durnamey Duryodhan
(Modern Column, Calcutta)
Madhu Chattopadhyay
Mahabharatey Janmakatha
(Sahityasri, 1991)
Examines the birth accounts of Vashishtha, Parashara, Aurva,
Matsyagandha, Vyasa, Bhishma, Drona, Karna, Pandavas, Duryodhana,
Draupadi and what they reveal about social conditions of those times.
Prodyot Kr. Chattopadhyay
Jugantakari Dui Vyadh
(Sahitya Sanstha, Calcutta)
Subodh Ghose
Bharat Prem Katha
(Ananda, Calcutta); English translation
by Pradip Bhattacharya,
(Rupa, Calcutta).
Kalkut (Samaresh Basu)
Pritha
Samba
(Mondal Book House, Calcutta)
Kshirodeprasad
Nara Narayana
(a play in Bengali)
Jagat Laha
Dvaipayaney Duryodhan
(Sri Guru Prakashan, Calcutta)
Birendra Mitra
Yaduvamsa--Braja Parva
His thesis is that
Brahma planned the extermination of the independent kings of
Bharatavarsha to establish the hegemony of the devas through the
brahmin priests, of whom Garga is seduced by promises of knowledge
of astronomy to become the agent of the gods. That is why the gods
plant their seed in chosen women to engender future rulers who will
propagate their empire. They are centred on Gandhamadana mountain,
and use aerial craft to reach anywhere they wish to, astonishing the
natives.
Birendra Mitra
Danikentattva O Mahabharater Svargadebata,
Kurukshetrey
Debshibir, Ramayaney Debshibir
(Nath Publishing).
A very interesting extrapolation of Erich von Daniken's Chariot of the
Gods to both epics. He was working on expanding this to Harivamsa.
Gajendra Kr. Mitra
Panchajanya, 2 vols.,
(Mitra & Ghosh, Calcutta)
Rajyeswar Mitra
Mahabharat Chinta
(Nabapatra Prakashan).
Shaonli Mitra
Nathavati Anathavat,
Katha Amrita Saman
(M.C. Sirkar, Calcutta)
Amarjyoti Mukhopadhyay
Mahaprasthaney Yudhishthir
(Sahitya Sanstha, Calcutta)
Birendra Kumar Ray
Mahabharater Charitra
(Malda, 1985)
Analyses the epic characters with remarkable thoroughness.
Birendra Kumar Ray
Mahabharater Krishna
(Malda, 1989)
Pursues Bankimchandra Chatterjee's line of approach in studying Krishna
to produce an extremely rewarding study.
Nabin Chandra Sen
Raivatak, Kurukshetra, Prabhas
an epic trilogy in verse,
Dr Atul Sur
Mahabharat O Sindhu Sabhyata
(Ujjwal Sahitya Mandir, 1988).
The eminent historian deals with Mahabharata and the Indus Civilization,
Mahbharata as national history, How far the descriptions in Mahabharata
are true (answering four key questions raised by Rajshekhar Basu in his
introduction to the Bengali condensation of the epic), Kurukshetra war
and the Pandavas in Bengal, Whether Yudhishthira's bodily ascent to
Svarga is true, Indus Civilization and Bengalis.
Numerous plays on Mahabharata by
D.L. Roy, Girish Chandra Ghosh and other
Bengali playwrights.