Reflective Prose: Writings by Bengali Women of the 19th Century

Release of book authored by Smt Sutapa Bhattacharjee and translated by Smt Sheila Sengupta (New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi, 2011)

This compilation of women's letters from 19th- and early-20th century Bengali literary journals is testimony to how women invented themselves and responded to the interaction with the West. Carefully researched, it brings out the intellectual world of authors and early activists like Krishanbhabini Das, Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain, Manmohini Dasi, and offers insights into how feminist consciousness first started taking shape.

Panel discussion on Women's Writing
Speaker: Professor Gurpreet Mahajan, Centre for Political Studies JNU
Chair: Shri Agrahara Krishna Murthy, Secretary, Sahitya Akademi

Readings of excerpts complemented by scenes recreated by Smt Averee Chaurey