Volume II,Special Issue, April 2026
Volume-II, Special Issue, April, 2026 |
Received: 05.04.2026 | Accepted: 08.04.2026 | ||
Published Online: 10.04.2026 | Page No: | ||
DOI: 10.69655/atmadeep.vol.2.specialissue.W. | |||
শিশু-কিশোর সাহিত্যে উপেন্দ্রকিশোর রায়চৌধুরী ও হেমেন্দ্র কুমার রায়: রূপকথা থেকে রোমাঞ্চকথা অর্পিতা ঘোষ, গবেষক, বর্ধমান বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়,পশ্চিমবঙ্গ, ভারত |
Arpita Ghosh, Research Scholar, University of Burdwan West Bengal, India | ||
ABSTRACT | ||
The tradition of children’s literature in Bengali has
evolved across different ages, and this transformation has primarily been
shaped by changing social conditions and cultural influences. In fact, not only
children’s literature but Bengali literature as a whole has continuously
adapted itself in response to shifts in social norms, values, and intellectual
trends.
One of the foremost pioneers of Bengali children’s
literature is Upendrakishore
Ray Chowdhury. Under his initiative, the magazine Sandesh was published, which marked the
beginning of a new era in children’s literature. This magazine brought a
significant transformation in literary culture by moving beyond the earlier
tradition of translated moral tales from Sanskrit. Instead, it introduced a
vibrant imaginative world filled with talking animals, playful narratives, and
joyful storytelling, which deeply appealed to young readers and nurtured their
imagination.
However, with the onset of a new age, this literary
trend gradually underwent transformation. Changes in society—such as the spread
of scientific thinking, urbanization, and modern education—had a profound
impact on the minds of young readers. As a result, the traditional world of
fairy tales began to give way to adventure stories, mystery, horror, and
science fiction.
In this phase of transformation, Hemendra Kumar Roy played a crucial role. Through
his works, Bengali children’s literature was enriched with detective fiction,
supernatural tales, and imaginative science-based narratives. His writings
introduced a new dimension and taste, making the genre more diverse and
engaging for young readers.
Several factors contributed to this significant shift.
Firstly, the influence of colonial education exposed Bengali writers and
readers to Western literary forms, encouraging new styles and genres. Secondly,
the rise of scientific rationality transformed modes of thinking, which was
reflected in literature. Thirdly, the growth of urban life and the emergence of
a middle-class readership created new demands and expectations from literature.
Therefore, it can be concluded that the evolution of
Bengali children’s literature is not merely a result of literary innovation but
a reflection of broader socio-cultural transformations. Literature has
continuously reshaped itself according to the needs of the time, and through
this dynamic process, Bengali children’s literature has reached its present
form. | ||
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