The antecedents of epistolary communication in Bengali literature and Rabindranath's letters/ বাংলা সাহিত্যে চিঠিপত্রের পূর্বসূত্র ও রবীন্দ্র-পত্র

Abstract

Letters stand as a significant historical testament in Bengali society and literature, depicting the true essence of rise and fall during various eras. While letters were once the primary mode of human communication, their prevalence has diminished in modern times due to the emergence of new technologies. However, in the age of modern science, the discovery of new inventions has paradoxically reduced the distance between people. The extensive use of colloquial or regional languages has facilitated communication among people from different parts of the world. There was a time when letters served as the sole means of human interaction, whether it be for exchanging news, engaging in personal conversations, or conducting official business. The use of letters was indispensable, ranging from conveying news to facilitating personal and official communications. Throughout ancient, medieval, and modern literature, the use of letters is evident, and these letters have been integrated into history in various ways. Rabindranath Tagore particularly elevated Bengali letters, introducing new dimensions to the form and language of Bengali epistolary communication. His personal letters have also enriched literature in diverse ways. In various critical essays, there have been discussions not only about the use of letters in Bengali literature before Rabindranath Tagore but also about his letters. Furthermore, there has been an examination of how Rabindranath's letters uphold literary standards, both thematically and stylistically.