In Praise of Annada: Volume 1

The first English translation of the narrative poem that is widely recognized as one of treasures of pre-modern Bengali culture. In 1752, the Bengali poet Bharatchandra Ray completed a long narrative poem dedicated to the glory of Annada, Shivas consort and the divinity who, as her name proclaims, bestows the bounty of rice. A poet well versed in Sanskrit, Persian, and Hindiall of which enrich his workBharatchandra took up the literary performance genre magalkvya and thoroughly transformed it, addressing the aesthetic tastes of the court rather than of the traditional village audience. He added depth and sensitivity to well-known legends, along with allusions to his own experiences of poverty, and more than a dash of mischievous wit. The first volume narrates Annadas origins, including the building of her city and temple under Shivas direction and the spread of her worship, and incorporates praise of the poets patron, the Nadia royal family. This translation, the first into English, accompanies the original text in the Bangla script. Lively and entertaining, In Praise of Annada was regarded as a major achievement in its own time and remains a treasure of Bengali literature.