Keri Saheber Munshi is one of the oldest historic novels that has Calcutta as its backdrop. An interesting story that dates back to the time of the British Raj. It tells an exciting tale about the time when the city of Calcutta was just formed under the British Patronage. It tells us about the British people, the natives, the culture and customs of the then India and the beginning of a new era in India - the era or reason and enlightenment.
The novel includes historic characters like Raja RamMohan Roy who is considered as one of the first enlightened people of India and William Kerry, a Churchman who contributed heavily in the pursuit of Knowledge among the people of Bengal. The main character of the novel is RamChand Basu who was appointed as the manager or munshi of William Kerry who came all the way from England to spread the words of Jesus Christ among the people of India. The story deals with Basu's tussle as he was caught amidst two cultures and two religions. Basu was in pursuit of knowledge but at the same time he felt strongly for his religion too. He was the pioneer of modern Bengali proses. He was a man of modern thoughts that were induced by the western culture and he strongly felt that its the time when a change in the social norm is required. He also protested against Satidaha, a cruel custom in which hindu widows were burnt alive in the pires with their dead husbands with or without their consent.
The story also tells about the the socio-political scenario of Bengal. It deals with the pains of everyone, the British youths, the local people, the English Maidens as well as the Bengali Belles. It is truly an aweinspiring story.
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ReplyDeleteThis short review on Promothnatha Bishi's novel Kery Saheber Munshi is the only one I could find on the web. It is very unfortunate that none of the online sources say anything that is covered by the above review. I first read the novel in my university days - I was studying Literature in Dhaka University in the mid eighties. I later got hold of a rare copy that was printed in erstwhile East Pakistan - although there is no publication year. I was lucky to pick up the book from a street-shop located in Purana Paltan [the famous locale mentioned in Buddhadev Basu's memoir]. It is even more interesting that the cover was designed by Quayum Chowdhury, who was a pioneer modernist artist in Bangladesh Period. I could not either find the cover of this East-Pakistan published cover page anywhere on the web. Heartfelt thanks to Bidisha Gupta for her fine contribution.
ReplyDeleteDo you know how I can get a copy of the film version of 'keri saheber munshi' ? I have not yet been able to find it online, but I came across your summary of the novel and thought you might be able to help. Thanks!
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