‘আমার বাল্যকথা ও বোম্বাই প্রবাস’— আত্মজীবনী নাকি স্মৃতিচিত্র?
Volume-XIV, Issue-III, April 2026
Volume-XIV, Issue-III, April 2026 | ||
Received: 21.04.2026 | Accepted: 27.04.2026 | |||
Published Online: 30.04.2026 | Page No: | |||
DOI: 10.64031/pratidhwanitheecho.vol.14.issue.03W. | ||||
‘আমার
বাল্যকথা ও বোম্বাই প্রবাস’— আত্মজীবনী নাকি স্মৃতিচিত্র?
ড.
বর্ণালী ভৌমিক ঘোষ, সহযোগী
অধ্যাপিকা এবং বাংলা বিভাগীয় প্রধান, বীর বিক্রম মেমোরিয়াল কলেজ, আগরতলা,
ত্রিপুরা, ভারত | |
‘Amar Balyakatha O Bombay Probash’—Autobiography or Memoir? Dr. Barnali Bhowmick Ghosh, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Bengali, Bir Bikram Memorial College, Tripura, India | |
This paper examines whether Satyendranath Tagore’s
Amar Balyakatha o Bombay Prabas should be classified as a true autobiography or
as a collection of memoirs. A successful autobiography is expected to reveal
the inner self of the author while situating personal experiences within
broader socio-historical contexts. Drawing on critical perspectives from
Goethe, Rabindranath Tagore, and modern scholars, the study explores how
Satyendranath’s narrative negotiates between factual life-writing and aesthetic
self-representation.
The
work, written in the later stage of the author’s life, presents selective
recollections rather than a chronological account of his entire life. Through
memories of childhood, family influences, religious upbringing, and exposure to
prominent personalities, Satyendranath constructs a reflective narrative that
emphasizes the essence of life rather than exhaustive detail. His experiences
within the Tagore family, particularly under the influence of Debendranath
Tagore and the Brahmo Samaj, play a crucial role in shaping his intellectual
and spiritual development.
The
second part, dealing with his journey to England, success in the Civil Service
examination, and subsequent experiences in Bombay and Europe, reflects both
personal growth and cultural encounters. The narrative combines observation,
introspection, and aesthetic sensibility, transforming lived experience into
literary expression.
This
study argues that while the text contains essential elements of
autobiography—such as self-reflection, historical context, and personal
development—it is more accurately understood as a memoir. Its fragmentary yet
thematically unified structure prioritizes emotional truth and artistic
representation over comprehensive life documentation. Thus, Amar Balyakatha o
Bombay Prabas occupies a significant place in Bengali literature as a bridge
between autobiography and memoir, offering both historical insight and literary
richness.
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