Pratirodher Bhashya

• Author: শ্রীহেমেন্দ্রনাথ মজুমদার (Shri Hemendranath Majumdar)
• Publisher: Ananda Publishers
• Language: Bengali
• Edition: Hardcover
• ISBN: 9789354253263
• Pages: 160

Book Description:

প্রতিরোধের ভাষ্য (Pratirodher Bhashya) delves into the lesser-explored facets of the life and artwork of renowned Bengali artist Hemendranath Majumdar, often remembered for his provocative depictions of women. The book presents a critique of how his female figures have been seen merely through the lens of sexualization and eroticism, overlooking their depth, strength, and vulnerability. Majumdar’s work transcended the confines of simplistic categorization—his women are not just objects of desire, but representations of complex emotional and existential narratives.

The book also touches upon his resistance to the mainstream nationalistic artistic movements of his time, such as the Neo-Bengal School, which linked art with nationalism, history, and tradition. Majumdar was opposed to reducing art to a singular cultural or geographical identity, believing that art should not be confined to any boundaries, be they domestic or foreign. He envisioned an artistic landscape in India where diverse schools of art coexisted, constantly engaging in a healthy dialogue.

প্রতিরোধের ভাষ্য serves as a narrative of resistance, offering a fresh interpretation of Majumdar’s artistic journey and shedding light on his lesser-known defiance against the dominant cultural and artistic trends of his time. It is, in many ways, a rereading of the contemporary art history of Bengal.

About the Author:

Anuradha Ghosh, the author, offers an insightful look into the socio-political and cultural contexts that influenced Hemendranath Majumdar’s work. Ghosh’s writing provides a critical lens through which Majumdar’s artwork is examined, questioning the established perceptions of his legacy and highlighting his unique contributions to the Bengali art world.