Dr. Haraprasad Shastri of Bengali literature and culture. Haraprasad Shastri was born in the village of Kumira in the Khulna district of the British Bengal Province, present-day Bangladesh. This scholar discovered the unique aspects of Bengali and Sanskrit languages from the depths of scripture and linguistics. In 1907, he came across the manuscript of Charyagiti, the oldest collection of Bengali poetry. The discovery and editing of the collection of Charyagiti is his greatest achievement in the study of Bengali language and literature. We are remind Rabindranath Tagore as a icon on his time!
Dr. Haraprasad Shastri Collection of Works:
“Bengaliana, Bengality, I am a Bengali. This is the feeling that I am a Bengali. This is the knowledge that I have an entity called Bengali. If you read more Sanskrit, people want to become Brahmins, want to become sages. That is not a genuine Bengali thing; it is transmitted from the West. If you read more English, you will not have to tell me what happens. …
Bengaliana means that you know what is good in Bengal as good, and what is bad as bad. It is your own business to take good and not take bad. But knowing is a necessary task for every Bengali. If you want to know, you have to see intelligently what the country of Bengal is, you have to see who lives in Bengal, you have to see the customs and traditions of Bengal, the society, festivals and joys, sorrows and sorrows, wrestling, stick fighting, toll schools. Its songs, songs, panchali, dance, khemta, kirtan, dhapp You have to see everything about the journey of the poet. You have to see it with your heart and soul. You have to see everything that is changing in the present time. You have to see newspapers, magazines, concerts, theaters, schools, colleges, offices, courts. You have to see the whole life of Bengal and the Bengali nation well, only then will you become a Bengali.”
-Haraprasad Shastri Collection of Works, Volume 2
Dr. Haraprasad Shastri’s life:
His life was a continuous chapter of struggle and hard work. He uncovered the depths of ancient Indian literature, Sanskrit poetry and mythology, which are still invaluable resources for us. Famous Bengali Indologist, Sanskrit scholar, conservationist and historian of Bengali literature. His real name was Haraprasad Bhattacharya. He is the inventor of the Charyapad, the oldest monument of Bengali literature. He is the compiler of the Ramcharitam or Ramcharitamanas Puthi written by Sandhyakar Nandi. Haraprasad Shastri was born in the village of Kumira in Khulna district, present-day Bangladesh, in the British Bengal Province. However, his original residence was in Naihati in North 24 Parganas district. His family surname was Bhattacharya. After receiving his primary education in the village school, Haraprasad studied at the Sanskrit Collegiate School and Presidency College in Kolkata. In Kolkata, he lived with his grandfather Nandakumar Nyayachanchu’s friend and prominent social reformer and scholar Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. For standing first in Sanskrit in the B.A. examination, he received the ‘Sanskrit College Graduate Scholarship’ of 50 rupees per month, ‘Laha Scholarship’ of 5 rupees, and ‘Radhakanta Deb Medal’. He was honoured in Sanskrit in 1877. Later, after passing the M.A. examination, he received the title of ‘Shastri’. In 1878, he joined Hare School as a teacher. He started teaching at Sanskrit College in 1883. After retiring from Sanskrit College in 1908, he joined the Government Information Centre. From 1921 to 1924, he was a professor and head of the Bengali and Sanskrit Department of Dhaka University. His famous books are – Valmiki Joy, Meghdoot’s Explanation, Bener Meye (novel), Kanchanmala (novel), Sachitra Ramayana, Prachin Banglar Gaurab and Buddhism. His notable English works are – Magadhan Literature, Sanskrit Culture in Modern India and Discovery of Living Buddhism in Bengal. Dr. Haraprasad Shastri’s life and work still inspire today, especially those interested in literature and linguistics, this report is for them. Dr. Haraprasad Shastri: A Priceless Gem of Bengali Literature and Culture!
Dr. Haraprasad Shastri was a scholar:
Dr. Haraprasad Shastri was a scholar, researcher, writer and historian. He was one of the greatest figures in Bengali literature and culture, who has been immortalized in the proud history of the Bengali language with his immense contribution. His life was a continuous pursuit, where from childhood to adulthood he devoted himself to Indian language and literature.
Dr. Haraprasad Shastri Childhood and upbringing:
Haraprasad Shastri was born in the village of Kumira in Khulna district of British Bengal Province (present-day Bangladesh). However, their original residence was in Naihati in North 24 Parganas district. His family surname was Bhattacharya. He was a famous Bengali Indologist, Sanskrit scholar, conservationist and historian of Bengali literature. His real name was Haraprasad Bhattacharya. He is the inventor of the Charyapad, the oldest monument of Bengali literature. He is the collector of the Ramcharitam or Ramcharitamanas manuscript written by Sandhyakar Nandi. He was very intelligent and curious as a child. His father, Pandit Girish Chandra Shastri, was a polyglot and he himself encouraged his son to pursue a high standard of education. From an early age, he started learning Bengali, Sanskrit, Pali and several ancient languages. After completing his secondary education from the Mitra Institution in Kolkata, he started his academic career from the University of Calcutta, where he showed a keen interest in ancient Indian history and culture.
Education:
After completing his primary education in a village school, Haraprasad studied at the Sanskrit Collegiate School and Presidency College in Kolkata. In Kolkata, he lived with his grandfather Nandakumar Nyayachanchu’s friend and the eminent social reformer and scholar Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. Haraprasad passed the entrance examination in 1871. In 1873, he secured 19th position in the first Arts (FA) examination. In 1876, he obtained B.A. degree (8th position). As he stood first in Sanskrit in the B.A. examination, he received a monthly stipend of 50 taka, a ‘Laha scholarship’ of 5 taka, and the ‘Radhakanta Dev Medal’. He was awarded a distinction in Sanskrit in 1877. Later, after passing the M.A. examination, he received the title of ‘Shastri’. Haraprasad was the only student to pass the examination in the first class.
Dr. Haraprasad Shasrti Professional life and research:
Dr. Haraprasad Shastri’s professional life began with teaching, but he soon focused on the study of ancient literature and linguistics. His work has invaluable contributions to various aspects of ancient Indian literature and culture. He especially conducted detailed research on Sanskrit, Pali, and ancient Bengali language and literature and provided accurate translations and interpretations of the texts in these languages. He is known as a great researcher of ancient Bengali literature. His research on “Bangla Literary Form” and “Bangla Literary History” has helped us understand Bengali literature from a new perspective. His work has been appreciated not only by Indian writers and historians, but also internationally. The research books he has created have become an integral part of Bengali literature and culture.In addition, he did important research on the Bengali language on “Purity of Bengali Language” and “Historical Evolution of Indian Language”, which serves as a guide in the development of Bengali language and literature.
Dr. Haraprasad Shastri’s Outstanding Works:
History of Bengali Literature: Discovery of Charyapad: In 1897, he went to Nepal to collect the first Buddhist manuscripts and discovered Charyapad from there.
This is an invaluable collection, which spans from the beginning of Bengali literature to the modern era. In it, he has made a deep analysis of various aspects of literature, works, authors, and literary genres.
Indian Language and Literature: His books on Indian language and literature include several important and extensive studies, which shed light on the vast heritage and depth of Indian culture.
Ancient Sanskrit Literature: Translations and interpretations of important works of Sanskrit literature in modern language. These works are still used as references for researchers.
Research on Pali Language: His work on Pali language was notable, especially his analysis of the sacred texts compiled in it.
Shastri’s Historical Contribution
Dr. Haraprasad Shastri played a special role in the welfare of Bengali literature and culture. He was not only a literary researcher of an era.
Rather, he was a guide to the future of Bengali language. Through his research, ancient Indian history, culture and literature have become much clearer and more defined.
All the books he wrote and researched are still guiding directions in historical education. The deep sincerity he had in the field of literature is an inspiration for today’s writers.
Finally, I would like to say,
Dr. Haraprasad Shastri is a living role model for us, whose life and work are invaluable treasures of Bengali literature and culture. He is not just a researcher, but an ideal person who has enriched Bengali language and literature through his work for eternity. His contribution will be remembered forever.
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