Bengali Flower - 50
Newly released book Bengali Flower by John Scott contains 50 selected poems from Nobel Prize winning poet Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941). The idea came from the author’s own difficulty in obtaining copies of Tagore’s work in print. Tagore’s poetry was originally written in Bengali and translated into English. While Bengali speakers say that the English translation does not capture the full flavor of the poetry, much of Tagore’s poetry, is nonetheless, very beautiful in the English language. He often writes his poems as if he was a child speaking to his mother, echoing the inner voice of a little child, and his questions and difficulties in relating to the adults who are caring for him, and these poems show remarkable insight.
There are three original poems included from John Scott and from Kutub Uddin, both native of Newark, NJ. Uddin is from the Northeast section of Syhlet, Bangladesh and learned English in the United States. The Bengali language lends itself very well to poetry, and the Bengali script is most artistic.
Included in the work is a biographical section of Tagore, background pages on India and Bangladesh as well as maps of India and Bangladesh. There are 26 photos and illustrations, many of them historical of Tagore and India, as well as charts of the 23 most used languages of India and summary of the major religion s of India and Bangladesh. There is also a chart on the 50 most populous cities of India. Additionally, there is a 500 word introduction to Bengali language essentials, as well as a section on reading Bengali, that is a good introduction for those who are interested in missionary work or world language.
New Jersey is the new home for tens of thousands of immigrants from India and Bangladesh, which is what, in large, also influenced the writing of this book of poems. Most of the Indian-Asian immigrants, (including those from Bangladesh and Pakistan), immigrated to the United States in the past 30 or so years. The principal of one school in Newark, NJ stated that his school alone had 40 different languages. So, certain parts of the United States truly have become international. Culture awareness and tolerance are of value. This collection educates the reader on these cultures, language, as well as opening the mind and heart to some of the world's best poetry.
Beyond the Indian theme, poetry is something that can and should capture the imagination of young people, as it stimulates creativity, contemplation, insight into history and culture, and it can also help young people and others to develop a desire and talent to create their own poetry.
Bengali Flower
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The book is currently available on Amazon.
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Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
