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Saturday 30 January 2010

Paschimbanga Bangla Akademi

AN INTRODUCTION
 
Paschimbanga Bangla Akademi was set up on 20th may, 1986, with the objective to carry out research on various aspects of Bengali literature, language and culture as also publication of books thereon. It is an institution where the eminent intelligentsia of the State participate. The activities and programmes of the Akademi have already been acclaimed by people of the State.

It started functioning as a wing of the Information and Cultural Affairs Department of the State Government. Subsequently it was converted in a society and registered under Societies Registration Act. The Akademi is now housed in its own four-storied building in Rabindra Sadan-Nandan Complex. In this new building it has its office, library, archive and an auditorium with a sitting capacity of about 200 people.

The Akademi carries out all its activities in close liaison with other learned bodies and institutions including Universities engaged in various fields of Bengali language, literature and culture. Apart from its own programmes, it also organises programmes jointly with different such societies. Such programmes are not confined to Calcutta only. These are also held in districts and sub-divisions.

The Akademi was endeavouring to prepare an acceptable rule in Bengali spelling in order to achieve an uniformity in spelling. After a series of discussions, seminars, the collected efforts of all linguists and others, a breakthrough has been made and an acceptable principle has been finalised. A spelling dictionary has been brought out in accordance with this principal. As a result of accomplishment of this much-awaited work, it is hoped that this will bring some discipline in Bengali spelling removing the anomalies.

Among the research projects taken up by the Akademi there are Bengali dictionary for young learners, Bibliography of all Bengali books, Evolution and Development of Bengali Script, Biographical dictionary, and encyclopaedia etc. It has also taken up the work of preparation of Bengali terminology. The Akademi has also taken up the responsibility of bringing out books for children and younger generation.

The Akademi has a well-equipped library. It is being developed keeping an eye to the requirement of research workers. An archive is also being developed. Manuscripts of the writings of many noted Bengali writers and other valuable documents collected from different reliable sources are being preserved in this Archive. A computer has recently been acquired. Efforts are being made to preserve and classify all materials of the library and archive according to most modern methods and techniques.

The Akademi organises forum annual lectures, one on its foundation day, the second on birthday of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, the third on birthday of Suniti Kumar Chattopadhyay and the fourth, Sumitra Das Memorial Lecture.

It has so far introduced three literary awards viz. Anita-Sunil Basu Literary Award, Somen Chanda Literary Award and biennial Sudha Basu Literary Award. All these awards have, however, been sponsored by different individuals and organisations.

Programmes of the Akademi
Reform of Bengali Spelling: Bengali spelling was last revised in 1936. With the passage of time and computerisation of printing the necessity of revision of Bengali scripts and spelling is a long felt need. Something has to be done immediately. The Akademi held a series of meetings, seminars where all concerned were invited. A consensus has at last been arrived at. A rule has been framed and some changes have been suggested in the method of writing of conjuncts. It will be possible to improve Bengali typewriting after the reforms are introduced and followed.

Dictionary and Grammar: There is no good Bengali dictionary and encyclopaedia in Bengali as per demand of the day. The necessity of a Bengali dictionary for young learners is also felt. The Akademi has already taken up the task of compiling this dictionary for young learners and it has already been published. An etymological dictionary of Bengali words is going to be published soon. Work to translate S.K.Chatterji's 'The Origin and Development of Bengali Language' into Bengali is in progress.

For use of Bengali in official works and in social life there is an urgent need of bringing out a compilation of terminology in Bengali. The Akademi has already completed the revision of the existing terminology for official work. Terminology used by different authors in their books often varies. Students are confused. Books in various subjects in Bengali should be written using same terminology. It will be possible only when there is acceptable terminology on each subject. In absence of any authoritative work confusion will prevail. The Akademi will take up the initiative in this regard.

Translation: Akademi will endeavour to bring translation of works from various regional languages and vice-versa. it will bring people speaking different languages closer to one another and strengthen the bonds of national integration.

Juvenile Litetature: The Akademi will carry out all the responsibilities of publishing books for the young people, befitting the status of a central organisation of the state. it has already published three compilations viz. Alore Phulki, Jiyankathi and Misti Chada Tapur Tupur. These three are immensely popular among young and old readers alike.

Printing of Publication and Sales : The Akademi is publishing its research works as well as books on different subjects. It has already more than 70 titles in its list of publications, some of which have undergone several reprints. It brings out an yearly organ 'Akademi Patrika'. It has its own sales counter at College Street Coffee House, Rabindra Sadan-Nandan Complex and Hem Chandra Naskar Street. Some leading booksellers of the city have also been engaged as selling agents. The Akademi participates in all leading Book Fairs of the State for promoting sales of publications.

Library: A well equipped library is being developed to cater the needs of all research workers of Bengali language, literature and culture. Most modern methods of preservation and classifications are followed here. A computer has been acquired. The system of cataloguing and searching of books of the library by using computer in Bengali has been successfully introduced in the Akademi. The Akademi can claim to be the pioneer in this field of software programming.

Archive: Collection of old and rare books, manuscripts and their classification and preservation are among the objectives of the Akademi. The archive has been air-conditioned. Several old and rare books and manuscripts of Rabindranath, Bibhuti Bhusan Bandopadhyay, Manik Bandopadhyay, Probodh Kumar Sanyal, Ashapurna Devi and others are in its possession. The archive is being enriched everyday by fresh collections.

Bibliography: The Akademi has taken up a project of bringing out a bibliography of Bengali books published between 1743 and 1990. The first volume containing publications between 1853 and 1867 has been published. The work on subsequent periods is in progress. The works on two bibliographies on historical studies and economic studies in Bengali have been completed. These are to be published soon.

Biographical Dictionary: Two biographical dictionaries of Bengali literary personalities of the past and the present are under preparation.

Seminars, Discussions etc : The Akademi arranges seminars, discussions on various literary and cultural topics. It also organises meetings on birthdays of important literary personalities. It is a regular feature.

Rabindra Puraskar

Rabindra Puraskar or Rabindra Smriti Purashkar is the highest honorary literary award given in West Bengal. This award is given by Paschimbanga Bangla Academy, Kolkata.

List of Awardees

              (Year - Name - Works - Language)
  • 2003 - Syad Hasmat Jalal -     - Bengali
  • 2004 - Mallika Sengupta -      - Bengali
  • 2005 - Ishita Bhaduri - Athabaa Brahmakamal - Bengali
  • 2007 - Rupak Chakrabarty -  - Bengali


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