দ্বিশতবর্ষ পেরিয়ে লালবিহারী দে : তাঁর অনালোচিত কয়েকটি ইংরেজি প্রবন্ধে বাঙালির ধর্মবিশ্বাস-সামাজিক-সাংস্কৃতিক ও ঐতিহ্যের পরিচয়/ Lal Behari Day, Two Centuries On : An Exploration of Bengali Religious Beliefs, Socio-Cultural Life, and Traditions in Some o

Abstract

The nineteenth century was one of the most dynamic and illustrious periods in the history of India, and particularly of Bengal. In every sphere—be it society, culture, education, religion, or commerce—the prevailing status quo was shattered, giving rise to a powerful surge of change. Consequently, new avenues and directions emerged within the sphere of Indian public action. A primary objective of this movement was to engage with and assimilate Western knowledge. As a result, the nineteenth century witnessed the rise of numerous luminaries who made profound contributions to the socio-cultural fabric of both Bengal and India. Among this multitude of figures, several Bengalis have transcended the boundaries of their own era; even two centuries later, they continue to—and will forever—resurface in our intellectual discourse and cultural consciousness. Prominent among these social reformers, educationists, thinkers, and litterateurs are Raja Ram Mohan Roy (1772–1833), Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar (1820–1891), Akshay Kumar Datta (1820–1886), Michael Madhusudan Dutt (1824–1873), and, of course, Reverend Lal Behari Dey (1824–1894). Lal Behari Dey was born in the village of Sonpalashi in the district of Bardhaman. His father was employed in Kolkata. Upon completing his elementary education at the village pathshala (traditional school), he was enrolled in a school in Kolkata. A gifted student, Lal Behari pursued his higher education under extremely arduous circumstances. Following his father’s untimely death during his youth, he was compelled to chart his own path in life. Drawn to Christianity, he renounced his Hindu faith and subsequently embarked on a career as a Christian evangelist. Lal Behari vehemently protested against the discriminatory practices wherein indigenous clergy—despite possessing qualifications equal to those of their foreign counterparts—were treated with condescension or denied equal opportunities. Yet, amidst all these endeavors, his life was also marked by a succession of tragic events. The most heart-wrenching of these was the loss of his children. Nevertheless, despite the various vicissitudes that subsequently befell him, Lal Behari remained steadfastly devoted to his work and continued to pursue his literary vocation with unwavering dedication. Reverend Lal Behari Dey was, first and foremost, a religious evangelist; yet, he simultaneously excelled in diverse roles—as a writer, journalist, editor, and public orator.  He contributed essays to various periodicals, such as ‘The Calcutta Review’ and ‘The Hindu Patriot’, and served as the editor of the journal ‘Arunoday’. We shall examine the essence and subject matter of several of his lesser-discussed English essays, through which he sought to illuminate diverse facets of Bengali life—including religious beliefs, socio-cultural norms, festivals, and rituals. In his writings, we encounter not only a vivid portrayal of the society and era in which he lived but also the intellectual currents and ideas prevalent during that time. The world-renowned scientist Charles Darwin was so captivated by the thematic depth and lucidity of Lal Behari Dey’s writing that he offered him high praise. Even two centuries later, the relevance of the writings of this illustrious son of Bengal remains undeniable.