Banglar Brataparban

• Author: শীলা বসাক
• Language: Bengali
• ISBN: 9789350408278
• Pages: 568
• Format: Hardcover
• Weight: 733 grams

Book Description:
This book explores the unique tradition of Brataparban (vows and festivals) celebrated by Indian women, particularly in Bengal. Unlike other folk traditions across the world, Brataparban reflects the worldly desires, spiritual aspirations, and cultural ethos of Indian women. The book delves deep into the social, religious, and literary significance of these rituals, comparing them with similar practices in other Indian states and neighboring countries. Through this comparative study, the author unveils the universal emotions and desires that drive women to participate in these ceremonies. The work also highlights how these practices embody the mental and cultural landscape of Bengali women, making it a valuable resource in Bengali folk culture studies.

About the Author:
Born in 1947 in Kolkata, শীলা বসাক was the youngest daughter of Tarunaditya and Kamala Rakshit. A significant figure in the study of Bengali folk culture, she earned a Ph.D. from Calcutta University and a D.Litt. from Rabindra Bharati University. She was a Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society, London, and a member of several prestigious organizations in India, Bangladesh, Japan, Finland, and the UK.

She participated in numerous international conferences on folk culture and presented research papers worldwide. Her first book, বাংলা ধাঁধার বিষয়বৈচিত্র্য ও সামাজিক পরিচয়, marked the beginning of her impactful literary journey. She served as the Head of the Bengali Department at Sushil Kar College and an honorary professor at the Folklore Department of Kalyani University. She was honored with the Anand Puraskar and the Lokasanskriti Research Medal.

Demise: March 8, 2015.