Atpoure Dinapanji

• Author: Father Paul Dethienne
• Genre: Atmajibani (Autobiography) - Jibani (Biography) - Smritikatha (Memoir)
• Cover: Hardcover
• ISBN: 9789350403082
• Pages: 212
• Weight: 433 grams

Key Highlights:

• Father Paul Dethienne, born in Belgium on December 30, 1924, is a Jesuit priest who came to India in 1949. While his mother tongue is French, he became deeply immersed in the Bengali language and culture.
• His Bengali language proficiency is remarkable, given that his initial training was in French and Latin. He began his journey with Bengali literature in Serampore and grew to develop a profound relationship with the language.
• Atpoure Dinapanji is a collection of humorous narratives and autobiographical anecdotes, blending fantasy and self-reflection. His tales in this book, written in the first-person, are a mix of fictionalized autobiography and personal musings. The stories display his profound love for the Bengali language and its cultural richness.
• His writing is celebrated for its rhythm, humor, and fluidity, reflecting both classical literary richness and his deep affection for the Bengali language.
• Father Dethienne’s early literary efforts were lauded when his “Diary’s Torn Pages” was published in 1972. His works, including Atpoure Dinapanji, are characterized by elegance and wit, and he has contributed significantly to Bengali literature as a foreign writer.
• In 2010, he was awarded the prestigious Rabindra Puraskar for his contributions to Bengali literature.

Summary:

Atpoure Dinapanji is a collection of charming and insightful narratives by Father Paul Dethienne, a Belgian Jesuit priest who became a master of the Bengali language. His stories in the book offer an engaging blend of humor and self-reflection, written in the form of “imagined autobiography”. The book showcases the beauty of Bengali prose and is a testament to Dethienne’s deep affection for Bengali. His unique perspective as a foreigner writing in Bengali adds a distinct flavor to his works, making them cherished in the world of Indian literature. Through his personal anecdotes, he also highlights his experiences of living in India and the cultural exchange he had with the country.