Bengali Nights
My introduction to this book was through the film Bengali Nights starring Hugh Grant and Supriya Pathak. Bengali Nights is a semi-autobiographical work by Mircea Eliade.
A glance into the book-reviews of Bengali Night on goodreads, would have reviews suggesting the book's tone of racism, graphic representation etc.
Yet, I gave the book a read, as there are very few romance novels that give both points of view.
Eliade is popularly known for his works on religious studies and I understand, he has dedicated most of his works to his mentor Surendranath Dasgupta (Maitreyi Devi's father).
With regard to Bengali Nights, in my opioion its a candid account of how Eliade saw India and viewed beauty. Taking it as a candid account, one can overlook the tone of racism and give it a read.
'It Does Not Die' - Maithreyi Devi
The book was the Sahitya Academy Award.
If Eliade had not written Bengali Nights-probably we couldnt have got Maithreyi's book. Maithreyi reflects on her father's towering personality, the 'so called' esteemed poetic circle, some thoughts on aesthetics, Tagore's empathy, views on animal sacrifice during Durga Puja, her husband etc.
I particularly enjoyed her poem on Time, which I have quoted in this blog here.
https://endlesswavesofbeauty.blogspot.com/2022/04/time-stands-still-lines-from-it-does.html
So, if youre interested, give it a read. or rather read both versions. For what its worth, I just cant help swooning at Bengali Nights ;) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FKoS_2Ix_E
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