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Bengali novels occupy a major part ofBengali literature. Despite the evidence of Bengali literary traditions dating back to the 7th century, the format of novel or prose writing did not fully emerge until the early nineteenth century. The development of Bengali novel was fueled by colonial encounter, booming print culture, growth of urban centers, and increased middle-class readership[1]Upanyas, the Bangla word for novel, is derived from the wordsupanay andupanyasta.[2]
According to Ananda Sanker and Lila Ray, 'when the novel was introduced in Bengali in the middle of the 19th century, the form itself was new, the prose in which it was written was new, the secular tone was new in a country hitherto wholly dominated by religion, and the society in which and for which it was written was new' (p. 168). But some great novelists likeBankim Chandra Chatterjee,Rabindranath Tagore,Manik Bandopadhyay,Tarashankar Bandopadhyay, andSarat Chandra Chattopadhyay developed the newly introduced genre in such a way that 'new' changed into 'matured' through their works. Almost all these literary activities went on in full swing inKolkata, which was considered the cultural hub before thepartition of Bengal. After 1947, novelists fromEast Bengal (present-dayBangladesh) gained the platform to focus on their unique identities andDhaka emerged as a flourishing hub for Bengali novelists. Despite the Bengali common heritage and customs, the political partition was accompanied by partition of literary streams between East and West Bengal.[3] In the twenty-first century, popular contemporary Bengali novels include those written by novelists from both Bengals. Examples include prominent and prolific authors likeHumayun Ahmed from Bangladesh andSunil Gangopadhyay from India.
The first Bangla novelists werePeary Chand Mitra (1814–1883) andKali Prasanna Singha (1840–1870).[3] Under the pen name of 'Tekchand Thakur,Peary Chand Mitra wrote the first Bengali novelAlaler Gharer Dulal (1858). His use ofCholitobhasa (colloquial form of the Bengali language) to narrate the story of Bengali society was unprecedented in the history of printed Bengali literature. Several other Bengali prose fiction published earlier are also considered as claimants of the first Bengali novels. These include:Nabababubilas (1825) byBhabani Charan Bandyopadhyay andKaruna O Phulmonir Bibaran (1852) byHana Catherine Mullens.The 1865 novelDurgeshnandini written byBankim Chandra Chattopadhyay is considered the first significant or worthwhile Bengali novel in the modern period ofBengali literature. The first Bengali Muslim novelistMir Mosharraf Hossain (1847–1912) published his first novelRatnabati in 1869 and the first Bengali woman novelist wasSwarna Kumari Devi (1855–1932) was widely acclaimed for her novel Dipnirban (1870).
Many of the earliest published novels were written byKolkata-based writers like Peary Chand Mitra and Kali Prasanna Singh, writers from then-East Bengal are also known to have written novels.Kangal Harinath(1833–1896), based inKushtia District, now inBangladesh, published three original novels Bijoy Basanta (1859), Chittachapala (1876) and 'Prem-Promila'.[4] His 1859 novel Bijoy Basanta was so popular that a second edition was published in 1862.
Although this period is often called "The Tagore Phase" because of the domination ofRabindranath Tagore in all genres of Bangla literature, the most popular novelist of this period wasSarat Chandra Chattopadhyay. He is best known for his novels, which often portrayed lives, struggles, and hopes of men and women in a relatable manner. His language was easy-to-read and left lasting impression on readers' minds. His work has been translated into many languages and has been adapted into films and television shows. His most popular novels includeBadadidi (1913),Bindur Chhele (1914),Ramer Sumati (1914),Pandit Mashai (1914),Biraj Bau (1914),Charitrahin (1914),Chandranath (1916),Pallisamaj (1916),Devdas (1917),Datta (1918),Grhadaha (1920),Dena-Paona (1923), andBaikunther Will (1934).
AlthoughTagore was most notable as a poet, he wrote twelves novels where he explored the nuances of human relationships, psychological phenomena, and social issues. His most notables novels include:Bauthakuranir Hat (1883) andRajarsi (1887) based on historical events,Chokher Bali, concerning taboo topic of illicit love, andGora (1910) featuring a hero who is a European child brought up by a Hindu family.
Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay (1894–1950) was the most popular novelist to succeed Sharat Chandra. Through his work, he narrated the stories of struggle, poverty, hopes, and dreams of ordinary people of rural Bengal. His most famous novels include the trilogy consisting ofPather Panchali (1929),Apur Sangsar, andAparajita. Among his other novels areAranyak (1938),Debayan (1944),Drishtipradip (1935),Adarsha Hindu Hotel (1940), andIchhamati (1949).
Other prominent novelists who shaped mainstream Bengali novels of this era includeJagadish Gupta andKamal Kumar Majumdar,
Before 1947, events likePartition of Bengal in 1905, Foundation ofMuslim League in 1906 and Unification of Bengali in 1911 inspired the Muslim community of Dhaka to establish a new identity in the horizon of literature.Mohammad Najibar Rahman,Kazi Imdadul Huq,Kazi Abdul Wadud, Sheikh Idrish Ali, Akbaruddin, Abul Fazal, Humayun Kabir, etc. were among the novelists who tried to enrich the novels of the thenEast Pakistan, present Bangladesh.
Mohammad Najibar Rahman'sAnowara was the first notable novel and it moved the whole Bengali Muslim community after publication. According to Rafiqullah Khan, 'The novel could not create any novelty from artistic point of view, but it carried great importance for its picturization of socio-economic and political culture and ideals of the uprising populace' (p. 25, Translation). The main themes of most of the novels in this era were Muslim society, beliefs, and orthodoxy. Examples of novels incorporating these themes are Najibar Rahman'sPremer Somadhi (published in 1919) andGoriber Meye (1923), Sheikh Idris Ali'sPremer Pothe (1926). In this time, for the first time the life of the Bengali farmers took an artistic delineation through Kazi Abdul Wadud'sNodibakshe (1919).
Then Kazi Imdadul Huq sprinkled a new wave. His famous novelAbdullah was published in periodicals in 1920 and it came into book form in 1933. According to Biswajit Ghosh, this novel was a 'bourgeois and humanitarian revolt against devotion to Peers, religious dogmas, purdah-system and disparity between Ashraf and Atraf'.[5] Later, 'Kazi Abdul Wadud and Humayun Kabir extended this attitude'.[6] Another novelist, Abul Fazal, exposed human psychological analyses in his novelChouchir (1927). He afterwards continued with his own style and wroteProdip O Patongo (1940) andShahoshika (1946). It is well accepted that this type of psychological approach was a first attempt in novels of Bangladesh, though not for the first time in Bengali novels.
Theindependence of India and Pakistan from British rule bore more importance for the people of thenBengal. Since then the Bengali speaking community were divided into two parts – the East and the West Bengal. The practice and stream of literary practice also separated ways although both Bengals share common readership.
Novels in post-partition West Bengal portrayed proliferation of socialist ideas. Two of the most notable novelists from this era areManik Bandopadhyay andTarashankar Bandyopadhyay. Tarashankar's goal was to write novels with a social purpose. Through his novels, he sketched the tension between socialism and capitalism. His popular novelsRaikamal andKavi, and Hasuli Banker Upakatha (1947) paints the pictures of lives of people with humble means.[3]
Contemporary prominenet novelists from West Bengal includeSunil Gangopadhyay, Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay,Samaresh Majumdar,Mahasweta Devi, andAshapurna Devi.
Theindependence of India and Pakistan from British rule bore more importance for the people of thenBengal. Since then the Bengali speaking community were divided into two parts – the East and the West Bengal. It turns into the smashing of the millennium-old culture and unity of Bengali nation. Moreover, the existence of language became a great question just after the creation of Pakistan. The West-Pakistan ruling government tried to imposeUrdu as the principal language on the Bengali people. But the whole society reacted strongly. This leaves a permanent impression onBengali literature. In this tumultuous era,Syed Waliullah'sLalsalu (Tree without roots) (1948) was published. It was the foremost successful novel, both from art and reality points of view. Later Syed Waliullah translated it in English by the nameTree Without Roots. Mahbub-ul Alam wroteMofijon, also published in 1948. A progressive novelist Humayun Kabir wrote an English novel,Rivers and Women, which was published in 1945. The Bengali form was published in 1952 by the name ofNodi O Nari.
In the first years of the Pakistan regime the authors mostly took village life as theirtheme, but they gradually diversified their interests. Newly born urban society began to establish itself as worthy to be literary contents. Along with them political developments also took place in fiction. Among the first novelists of Pakistan period,Abul Fazal, Akbar Hossain,Shaukat Osman,Abu Rushd, Kazi Afsaruddin,Daulatunnessa Khatun, Syed Waliullah,Sarder Jayenuddin,Abu Ishaque, andShamsuddin Abul Kalam were the most prominent ones.
Then came a whole generation of extraordinary novelists.Chowdhury Shamsur Rahman,Satyen Sen,Abujafar Shamsuddin,Ahsan Habib,Nilima Ibrahim, Abdur Razzak, Khondkar Md. Eliash,Rashid Karim,Shahidulla Kaisar,Anwar Pasha, Abdar Rashid,Alauddin Al-Azad,Abdul Gaffar Choudhury,Zahir Raihan,Syed Shamsul Haq, Humayun Kadir, Shahid Akhand, Razia Khan, Shawkat Ali, Dilara Hashim, Indu Saha, andAhmed Sofa were notable names.
In this time, diversity of contents of the novel was noticeable. Village life was the core theme of a huge number of novels. Sometimes it centered the superstitious village mind or the oppression by the influential groups on the common people, some other times depressed womanhood took this place. Love between men and women inpastoral context were also a subject of many novels.Lalshalu by Syed Waliullah,Kashboner Konna byShamsuddin Abul Kalam,Surjo Dighol Bari byAbu Ishaque,Meghabaran Kesh by Ishaq Chakhari,Adiganta by Sardar Jayenunddin,Mohuar Desh by Tasadduk Hossain,Janani byShaukat Osman,Jhar by Syed Sahadat Hossain,Karnafully byAlauddin Al-Azad,Sareng Bou andSangsaptak byShahidulla Kaisar,Aranya Mithun by Badruddin Ahmad,Modhumoti by Rabeya Khatun,Hazar Bachhar Dhore byZahir Raihan,Bobakahini byJasimuddin,Pannamoti by Sardar Jayenuddin etc. incorporated these themes.
Middle class society began to evolve in this time. Urban life, its problems and complexities, uprising middle-class people, their social context and love in their life started to be portrayed in a good number of novels.Jibon Pother Jatri by Abul Fazal,Pother Porosh (1957) by Daulatunnessa Khatun,Bhorer Bihongi (1958) by Satyen Sen,Surjer Niche (1958) by Atahar Ahmad,Pathasranta (1959) by Nilima Ibrahim,Shesh Bikeler Meye (1960) byZahir Raihan,Kanyakumari (1960) by Abdur Razzak,Uttam Purush (1961) byRashid Karim,Ek Path Dui Bank (1962) by Nilima Ibrahim,Akash Jodi Nil Hoi (1962) andIhai To Prem (1963) by Syed Sahadat Hossain,Prasanno Pashan (1963) by Rashid Karim,Pingal Aakash (1963) byShawkat Ali,Akasher Rong (1964) by Zobeda Khanam,Panna Holo Sobuz (1964) by Shahid Akhand,Nirjan Megh (1965) by Humayun Kadir,Ghar Mon Janala (1965) by Dilara Hashim,Aronyo Nilima (1965) by Ahsan Habib,Antahshila (1967) by Kazi Md. Idris,Digonter Swapno (1967) by Razia Majid,Mon Ek Shet Kopoti (1967),Shaheb Bazar (1967) andAnanto Aneysha (1967) by Rabeya Khatun,Bipani Mon (1968) by Mir Abul Hossain,Sourav (1968) by Anis Chowdhury,Anishchita Ragini (1969) byAbu Rushd,Borof Gola Nodi (1969) byZahir Raihan,Rajabagh Shahimar Bagh (1969) by Rabeya Khatun etc. are significant novels of this stream.
But the background of another major event was being prepared in this time. The country began to experience turmoil. The political situation of the country became more and more prominent in the novels also. In novels likeNongor byAbu Rushd andMon Na Moti by Anis Siddique,Jibon Khuda byAbul Monsoor Ahmed exposed the context ofPakistan Movement. Communal picture out of this movement and the restoration of Hindu-Muslim harmony also became core content in a number of novels includingRanga Probhat by Abul Fazal,Khuda O Asha byAlauddin Al-Azad,Neer Sandhani andNishuti Rater Gatha byAnwar Pasha etc.
Then came the historic event of theBengali language movement. The keen eyes of the novelists were nowhere but on this tremendous incident. Jahir Raihan'sAarek Falgoon was the most significant effort on language movement. Other political incidents like theclass conflict, socialism, and movement in the cultivators was depicted in the novels likeDui Mohol (later on renamed asAlamnagorer Upokotha) byShamsuddin Abul Kalam,Surjo Tumi Sathi byAhmad Sofa etc.Shaukat Osman wrote wonderful symbolic political novelsKritodasher Hashi andRaja Upakhyan. Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury'sChandradwiper Upakhyan andNam Na Jana Bhore portrayed the uprising farmer society and its conflicts.
There were some historical novels also.Abujafar Shamsuddin'sBhaowal Gorer Upakhayan about theFaraizi Movement, Sardar Jayenuddin'sNil Rong Rokto about theIndigo revolt, Satyen Sen'sKumarajiva about the spread ofBuddhism, andOporajeyo about theSepoy Revolt etc. are a few examples among them. Some novelists favoured psychological complexities. With his unique presentation and language of his own,Syed Waliullah wroteChander Amabashya andKando Nodi Kando keeping psychological analysis in the centre.
Another trend of novels having emphasis on the sexual behaviours and deviations of the characters began to mark its own place during the sixties. Razia Khan'sBot-tolar Uponyas, andAnukolpo was among the first novels of this trend.Alauddin Al-Azad'sTeish Nambor Toilochitro,Shiter Sheshrat Boshonter Prothomdin andSyed Shamsul Haq'sEk Mohilar Chhobi,Anupama Din,Simana Chhariye etc. are mentionables in this regard.
Afterwards came the most memorable days of Bangali nation. Afterten-month long war Bangalis became independent nation. After the massacre of three million people and huge violation and harassment of womenfolk and loss of propertyBangladesh emerged as a secular anddemocratic nation on 16 December 1971, and Bangladeshi novel enters into a new era.
Most of the writers who were contributing in the pre-liberation period were also very creative in this period.Rashid Karim wrote novels based on middle-class society and their societal and psychological analysis.Alauddin Al-Azad,Shawkat Ali, Razia Khan and Dilara Hashim,Mahmudul Haque,Ahmad Sofa,Syed Shamsul Haq is among other notable names. Syed Shamsul Haq, commonly known as Syed Huq, wrote a good number of novels along with a huge number of books of other genres. He is always very experimental in both technique and form.Khelaram Khele Ja placed him in great controversy for his open delineation of human sexual behaviour. In his novels likeDuratto,Mahashunye Poran Master,Ek Juboker Chhayapoth etc.Liberation war, its consequences, hopeless human existence and analysis of human mind and society take sharp pen-picture. Another powerful writerShawkat Ali wroteProdoshe Praakritojon, which is a real representation of thetwelfth century Bengali during KingLakhkhan Sen. His trilogyDakshinayaner Din,Kulaya Kalasrot andPurbaratri Purbadin deserve much compliment. Mahmudul Haque wroteAnur Pathshala beforeliberation war in 1967. He wroteNirapod Tondra,Khelaghar (written 1978, published 1988),Kalo Borof (written in 1977, published in 1992), andMatir Jahaj (written in 1977, published in 1996). Ahmad Sofa, wrote novels with different tone. InOnkar (1975) he portrayed the suppressed Bangali mind of the pre-liberation period in a very artistic and symbolic way. InGaavi Brityanto he presents the contemporary picture in a meticulous allegory.Ardhek Nari Ardhek Ishwari, a novel ofromantic love, is widely considered as his masterpiece. HisPushpa Brikhkha Ebong Bihongo Puran is a narration of true human affinity to nature.
After the liberation war, freedom fight became a unique subject. The first of this discipline isAnwar Pasha'sRifle Roti Awrat that he wrote during the war.Shaukat Osman'sJahannam Hoite Bidai,Nekre Aranyo,Dui Soinik, Rashid Haider'sKhanchai,Andho Kothamala, Shawkat Ali'sJatraa,Selina Hossain'sHangor Nodi Granade, Mahmudul Huq'sJiban Aamar Bone, Syed Shamsul Haq'sNil Dangshon,Nishiddho Loban, Harun Habib'sPriyo Joddha Priyotoma,Humayun Ahmed'sJochona O Jononir Golpo etc. are examples of novels which directly deal freedom fight as their subject. Besides this, novels likeAmar Jato Glani by Rashid Karim,Ferari Surjo byRabeya Khatun,Abelay Ashamoy by Amjad Hossain also portray the different facets of liberation war. Rashid Karim'sPrem Ekti Lal Golap,Ekaler Rupkotha orSadharon Loker Kahini are presentation of the hopeless picture of Bangladesh after the war. 'Critics say that though after the liberation huge number of novels was written about our war, none of them could depict the historic incident in necessary epic form'.
New faces appeared in the literary world after the liberation. Among them,Selina Hossain,Humayun Ahmed, Hasnat Abdul Hye, Rizia Rahman, Jubaida Gulshan Ara Hena, andBashir al-Helal were the most prominent.
Selina Hossain started withJalochchhwas and till now she has authored more than twenty-one novels. HerHangor Nodi Granade is a success written onBangladesh Liberation War. She has written novels likeTaanaporen on coastal life and natural disaster.Gayatree Sondhya (3 volumes: published in, 1994, 1995, 1996),Kalketu O Fullora,Chandbene are some of her historical novels.
Abdur Rouf Choudhury's novelNatun Diganta (three volumes: published in 1991, 1992, 1993 and complete collection in 2005 by Pathak Shamabesh) is a quality work of art by any standard and most successful writing on pre- Bangladesh Liberation War. Choudhury most vividly depicted the unity of Bengal and the articulation of Bengali nationalism in his novelNatun Diganta (New Horizon) (vols. 1–3). Reason and humanity – these are its two eternal pillars. The essence of Choudhury's thought is a complete faith in the efficiency of these two immeasurable forces. Its most striking characteristic is its insistent association of work, precept and practice. It appeals not to controversial tests, not to any appearance of sweet reasonableness but to trials in the rough and tumble of life, and it will accept no other judgment. Natun Diganta gives warning against: 1) dogma, mysticism, ceremonial, hypnotism, the binding of the mind and will by oaths, and other inventions of external authority in religion and politics, 2) participation in violence, individual or social, and organisation's dependence on violence, 3) exploitation, luxury and material property, 4) self-degradation and 5) devotion to self-sacrifice.
Humayun Ahmed, perhaps the most popular novelist in Bengali afterSarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, appeared with his novelNondito Noroke and thenShonkhoneel Karagar. Later he gradually turned to less serious things. Almost all of his novels are best sellers. Some of his titles are1971,Daruchinir Deep,Brihonnola,Joyjoyonti,Kobi etc. Humayun Ahmed'sTomader Jonno Valobasa is the firstscience fiction novel in Bangladesh.
A serious poet, essayist and literary researcherAbdul Mannan Syed published his first novelPariprekshter Dasdashi in 1974. Later on he wroteKolkata,Poramatir Kaaj, O Te Ojogor,Hei Songsar Hei Lota,Khudha,Prem,Aagun,Shyamoli Tomar Mukh etc. Hasnat Abdul Hye, arrived with hisSuprobhat Bhalobasa. By now he has written at least twenty novels. Along with his other novels he has introduced a different form of novels called biographical.Sultan,Ekjon Aaroj Ali andNovera are example of this form. All of these novels are based on the biographical sketches of giant Bangali characters. Rizia Rahman'sUttar Purush came in black and white in 1977. She wrote some fifteen novels in the eighties. Her voluminousBongo Theke Bangla is anepic composition about the past culture andheritage of Bangali nation. Her other major novels areRokter Okhkhor,Alikhito Upakhyan,Ekal Chirokal,Prem Aamar Prem,Ekti Phuler Jonyo,Harun Fereni etc. Bashir al-Helal'sKalo Elish was published in 1979. His other novels includeGhritokumari,Shesh Panpatro,Nurjahander Modhumas etc.
In the eighties, Bangladeshi novel got some senior writers who wrote novels for the first time along with some promising young ones. Among the earlier writers Abubakar Siddique'sJalarakshas andKharadaha appeared with much novelty. His important later novel isEkatturer Hridoybhashma. Makbula Manjoor started in the late years of the sixties, but most of her novels came out in the eighties and nineties.Kaler Mondira is one of her most notable work.Rahat Khan wrote novels about middle class city people, their joys and sorrows, love and separation. His significant works includeOmol Dhabol Chakri,Ek Priyodorshini,Chhayadampoti,Hai Shunyota,Sangharsho,Shahar,Hai Anonter Pakhi,Modhyomather Khelowar etc.
Akhtaruzzaman Elias, one of the most artistic but least productive writers, wrote only two novels. He has started his journey withChilekothar Sepai. His most prestigious workKhoabnama, which came out in 1996, is considered a milestone in the history of Bengali novels.
Another senior novelistAbu Ishaque's second novelPadmar Palidwip was published in 1986, after thirty-one years of his debut novelSurjo Dighal Bari. Appearance and disappearance of Chars (strip of sandy land), their effect on nearby humanity etc. have taken a keen narration inPadmar Palidwip.
Haripada Datta is also a worthy name. His two-volume novelOjogor (Vol. I −1989, Vol. II-1991) chronicles the recent history very remarkably. His previous novels areEshane Ognidaho andOndhokupe Janmothsob. In 2000 he wrote an epic volume titledJonmo Jonmantor.
From the early years of the eighties, the arrival of some young novelists who, later on, obtained enough popularity, was heard. Monju Sarkar,Imdadul Haq Milan andMoinul Ahsan Saber are the few but most common names in this regard. Monju Sarkar'sTamosh,Nagno Agontuk,Protima Upakhyan andAbashbhumi, Imdadul Haq Milan'sJabojjibon (written in 1976, published in 1900),Nodi Upakhyan,Bhumiputro,Poradhinota,Rajakartontro, Moinul Ahsan Saber'sAdomer Jonye Opekhkha,Pathor Somoy,Char Torun Toruni,Manush Jekhane Jai Na,Dharabahik Kahin,Opeksha,Kobej Lethel,Tumi Amake Niye Jabe,Prem O Protishodh,Songsher Japon got much recognition from the literati.Shahidul Zahir, wrote his first novelJibon O Rajnoitic Bastobota, published in 1988 while his second, till now the last,Shei Rate Purnima Chhilo came out in 1995. Magic realism, which is a recent trend of theLatin American novels, takes place in Shahidul Zahir's narration.
The last decade of twentieth century is comparatively fruitful for Bangladeshi novels.Al Mahmud's novelistic exposition, Bipradas Barua's Buddhist life,Humayun Azad's brave creations, Akimun Rahman's novels about womanhood,Nasreen Jahan's novels of magic realism,Shamsuddin Abul Kalam's historic workKanchongram is few mark of this decade.Syed Shamsul Haq's masterpieceBristi O Bidrohigon, published in 1998, is a milestone on the past heritage andliberation war.Senior poet Al Mahmud's debut novelDahuki came out in 1992 which was followed byKobi O Kolahol,Upamohadesh,Kabiler Bone,Purush Sundor,Nishinda Nari etc. Bipradas Barua's major novels areSomudrochar O Bidrohira,Muktijoddhara,Shromon Goutam etc.
Humayun Azad commenced his novelist career withChhappanno Hajar Borgomail in 1994, which was a courageous slap onmartial law and dictatorship. In no time the novel brought its writer much name and popularity. His later novels includeSab Kichu Bhene Pare,Pak Sar Jamin Sad Bad,Nijer Shonge Nijer Jiboner Modhu,Ekti Khuner Svapna etc.Mohammad Nurul Huda, a renowned poet, had also two attempts in novel. ExceptingJanmajati andMoinpahar he did not make any third attempt.Akimun Rahman is the first novelist ever in Bengali language in whose writing the untold and unknown secrets of womanhood are getting tongue. She has by now written four novels,Purusher Prithibite Ek Meye,Roktopunje Genthe Jawya Machhi,Pashe Shudhu Chhaya Chhilo, andJeebaner Roudre Udechhilo Kayekti Dhulikana. Another notable novelist isNasreen Jahan. Her first novelUrukku arrived with much appreciation. In her novels likeChondrer Prothom Kola,Chondrolekhar Jaadubistar,Sonali Mukhosh,Ure Jai Nishipakhkhi etc., she manipulated the elements of magic realism.Anisul Hoque, a journalist by profession, has established himself as a renowned writer. HisAndhokarer Ekshaw Bachhar presented him a very honourable place butMa (The Mother) has given him international reputation. Imtiar Shamim is also a young but promising name for the novels of recent Bangladesh. InDana Kata Himer Bhetor he presented an NGO-world. HisAmra Hetechhi Jara encompassed a very touching story of the sorry saga of post-independence Bangladesh life. In the first decade of the 21st century, literary critic and essayistSyed Manzoorul Islam wrote some experimental novels likeAdhkhana Manush,Tin Parber Jiban etc.; he also co-authoredJogajoger Gabheer Samasya Niye Kayekjan Eka Eka Lok which is one of fewmetafiction novels in Bengali.Agunpakhi byHasan Azizul Huq received wide critical acclaim both in Bangladesh and India and two important literary awardProthom Alo book of the year prize in 2007 andAnanda Purashkar in 2008.[7] Among other notable works,Shahaduz Zaman's novelBishorgo Te Dukkho is a pioneer work of the genre ofmetafiction in Bengali, and hisCrutch-er Colonel is a popular historical novel on the life of Colonel Taher.
| # | Novel | Author |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Durgeshnandini | Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay |
| 2 | Kapalkundala | Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay |
| 3 | Madhabi Kankan | Ramesh Chandra Dutta |
| 4 | Gora | Rabindranath Tagore |
| 5 | Ghare Baire | Rabindranath Tagore |
| 6 | Char Addhyay | Rabindranath Tagore |
| 7 | Shesher Kabita | Rabindranath Tagore |
| 8 | Noukadubi | Rabindranath Tagore |
| 9 | Pather Dabi | Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay |
| 10 | Shesh Prashna | Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay |
| 11 | Aparajito | Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay |
| 12 | Pather Panchali | Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay |
| 13 | Aranyak | Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay |
| 14 | Debjan | Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay |
| 15 | Ganadevata | Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay |
| 16 | Nagini Kanyar Kahini | Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay |
| 17 | Hansuli Banker Upakatha | Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay |
| 18 | Putul Nacher Itikatha | Manik Bandyopadhyay |
| 19 | Dibaratrir Kabya | Manik Bandopadhyay |
| 20 | Padma Nadir Majhi | Manik Bandyopadhyay |
| 21 | Jagari | Satinath Bhaduri |
| 22 | Antarjali Jatra | Kamal Kumar Majumdar |
| 23 | Ekhon Amar Kono Asukh Nei | Sandipan Chattopadhyay |
| 24 | Rubi Kakhan Asbe | Sandipan Chattopadhyay |
| 25 | Jiban Je Rakam | Sunil Gangopadhyay |
| 26 | Prathom Alo | Sunil Gangopadhyay |
| 27 | Sei Somoy | Sunil Gangopadhyay |
| 28 | Uttar Jahnabi | Syed Mustafa Siraj |
| 29 | Aleek Manush | Syed Mustafa Siraj |
| 30 | Trinabhumi | Syed Mustafa Siraj |
| 31 | Panchyajanya | Gajendrakumar Mitra |
| 32 | Ghunpoka | Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay |
| 33 | Purna Apurna | Bimal Kar |
| 34 | Kharkuto | Bimal Kar |
| 35 | Banpalashir Padabali | Ramapada Choudhury |
| 36 | Dweeper Naam Tiarong | Ramapada Choudhury |
| 37 | Mirar Dupur | Jyotirindra Nandi |
| 38 | Baaro Ghar Ek Uthon | Jyotirindra Nandi |
| 39 | Ei Taar Puroshkar | Jyotirindra Nandi |
| 40 | Nilkantha Pakhir Khonje | Atin Bandyopadhyay |
| 41 | Aloukik Jalajan | Atin Bandyopadhyay |
| 42 | Manusher Gharbari | Atin Bandyopadhyay |
| 43 | Ishwarer Bagan | Atin Bandyopadhyay |
| 44 | Dubjaley Jetuku Prashwas | Malay Roy Choudhury |
| 45 | Kheladhula | Basudeb Dasgupta |
| 46 | Bramhavargab Puran | Kamal Chakrabarty |
| 47 | Brikhu | Kamal Chakrabarty |
| 48 | Herbert | Nabarun Bhattacharya |
| 49 | Matam | Barin Ghosal |
| 50 | Suryaheen | Arupratan Ghosh |
| 51 | Lohitparer Upakatha | Samar Deb |
| 52 | Tungabhadrar Tire | Sharadindu Bandopadhyay |
| 53 | Mohulbonir Sereng | Tapan Bondyopadhyay |
| 54 | Shankhachil | Sayantani Putatunda |
| 55 | Ichhamoti | Bibhutibhushan Bondopadhyay |
| 56 | Keya Patar Nouko | Prafulla Roy |
| 57 | Uttal Somoyer Itikotha | Prafulla Roy |
| 58 | Shotodharay Boye Jaay | Prafulla Roy |
| 59 | Devdas | Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay |
| 60 | Srikanta | Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay |