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Book Review
TELUGU
Sharat Chandra’s biography
SAROJINI PREMCHAND
DESHADIMMARI PRAVAKTA SHARATBABU: Vishnu Prabhakar in Hindi; Jwalamukhi — Tr. in Telugu; Sahitya Akademi, 35 Rabindra Bhavan, Ferozeshah Road, New Delhi-110001. Rs. 300.
THIS BIOGRAPHY is as enthralling as any one of Sharat’s novels. An eminent novelist himself, Vishnu Prabhakar worked on his subject for 14 years (1959-73), visited many places in Bihar, Bengal and Burma, met Sharat’s contemporaries, and listened to his ardent admirers and harshest critics. One disadvantage Vishnu faced was that Sharat neither talked openly about his personal life ever nor contradicted any untruths that were in circulation.
Arranged in three sections this work brings to life the arduous journey of a boy from Devanandapur, penniless but intensely sensitive. The years of his growing up were the most tumultuous times in Bengal society. “Young Bengal” was aggressively in revolt against tradition and decadent systems; equally adamant were those steeped in conservatism. Castigated by society, restless in spirit Sharat escaped to Rangoon. Living anonymously, leading a bohemian life he comes into the most intimate contact with the utterly deprived and hopelessly miserable face of humanity. His best works reflect this background. With great dexterity Vishnu traces the creative springs, the subtle philosophical vision and the aesthetic sensibilities in this man of rich and varied experiences.
Sharat Chandra Chatterji is widely read throughout India; the first Gujarati translations (1925) were by Mahadev Desai at the behest of Gandhiji. He played an active role in the freedom movement but later distanced himself repelled by group politics. A large number of readers will be delighted to find that Indranath, Paro, Subhada and many others existed in real. A must read for all writers.
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