এলেমবাজার নিলামবাজার ইলামবাজার । পাঠ প্রতিক্রিয়া

মাননীয়া Suchandra Chakravarty  মহাশয়ার

পাঠপ্রতিক্রিয়া

আমার " এলেমবাজার নিলামবাজার ইলামবাজার " বই টি পড়ে। তাঁকে আমার ধন্যবাদ জানাই। 

Pranab Bhattacharya is a familiar name to terracotta enthusiasts and those interested in the regional histories of West Bengal, particularly around Birbhum. This recently published book is an easy and interesting read, particularly for those who wish to have an introduction to the local history of the Ilambazar area near Shantiniketan. It's a collection of essays that has already appeared in other  journals. Pranabbabu has gleaned his facts largely from Hunter, O'Malley, and older local histories such as Birbhum Bibaran. What draws the reader to this slim book is the manner in which the  older histories have been  retold with a lively passion for the place and its past. He has the engaging ability of a good story teller which enables one to excuse certain editorial lapses. I read the book in one sitting ( it's not long) in spite of being familiar with all the source documents that he has cited, which speaks volumes for his ability to paint word pictures of edifices now lost to time, as well as the present environment . His description of the haat in Ilambazar took me straight back to my visit one and a half year ago; right down to the man selling earthen pots, one of which stands in my verandah. His mention of the ruins of the house of an indigo factor, which, years back locals used to refer to as 'neel shaheber kuthi' brought back memories of a visit more than forty years back. That ruin can no longer be seen and had it not been for this book, I might have believed that my memory had been playing tricks with me. 

I would definitely recommend this book to bengali reading enthusiasts new to this area and its rich heritage. The flow of goods and people along the Ajay river brought the world to its banks even before the world met in Tagore's Visva Bharati.