The meaning of life is different for different people. I like to look at life through writers. Today, I will discuss “Manishankar Mukherjee, the author of Chowringee”.
A Brahmin’s take on Brahmins is very interesting as it shows the battle of the intellectuals who talked among themselves.
Manishankar Mukherjee was known as Shankar. I liked Shankar’s writings. Why?
Particularly, his humour.
Language is a cultural capital which is created through training and practice. We learn a language and its various linguistic devices as we grow up either through reading or listening.
Bengalis have a rich culture of writing and great writers from all sections.
Shankar’s works have been cinematized though he did not write for films. Shankar’s father had also written scripts for play. We, as readers might club all Brahmins together but Shankar makes a distinction among the Brahmins with some sarcasm.
He said “Barrujjes and Chatujjes” have challenged their confidence as writers in Bengali literature. Bengali literature is known for writers such as Saratchandra Chattopadhyay, Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay, Manik Bandypadhyay, Tarashankar Bandyopadhyay, Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay.
Interestingly Bibhutibhusan Bandyopadhyay was Shankar’s neighbour. Shankar’s mother belonged to the Bannerjee family. His mother said Rabindranath is also Bannerjee but Shankar was doubtful about it. Then, later on he came to know that Rabindranath was a Shandilya Brahmin (meaning Shandilya Brahmins were supposed to be the topmost Brahmin).
This was very interesting because it was clear that Sunil Gangopadhyay and Shankar might have felt the challenge of acceptance amidst so many writers. But surely competing with the stars brought them to this level.
Though he was not encouraged to enter into the theatre lane in Kolkata by his father, his writing developed those elements of theatre.
Jagoran 