Book Title: Maa
Author: Anurupa Devi
Translator: Sanjukta Banerji Bhattacharya
Publisher: Rupa Publications India
Number of Pages: 328
ISBN: 978-9361565663
Date Published: Oct. 10, 2024
Price: INR 307
Book Review
In colonial India, women writers faced many challenges due to strict societal expectations and gender biases. Despite these obstacles, some women found ways to make their voices heard in Bengali literature. The emergence of women’s periodicals and nationalist movements offered them platforms to share their thoughts on cultural and political issues. Anurupa Devi (1882-1958), a notable Bengali author of novels like ‘Mantashakti’, ‘Ma’, and ‘Gariber Meye’, initially kept her writing private, sharing her work only with her sister, Surupa Devi, who also wrote under the name Indira Devi. Although Anurupa’s husband did not oppose her writing, his request to see one of her novels prompted her to throw the manuscript into the Ganges—a decision she later regretted.
When Anurupa Devi began publishing her works, she used the pseudonym “Anupama Devi.” However, Swarnakumari Devi, the editor of the magazine ‘Bharati’, encouraged her to write under her real name. In her letters, Swarnakumari assured Anurupa that there was no shame in writing and motivated her to submit her work openly. This encouragement helped Anurupa take her place in the literary world, where she continued to develop her voice and craft powerful stories.
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Anurupa Devi’s novel “Maa” is a rich exploration of human emotions set in the late 19th century during the Bengal Renaissance. Translated from Bengali to English by Anurupa Devi’s granddaughter, Sanjukta Banerji Bhattacharya, and published by Rupa Publications, “Maa” brings the nuances of Anurupa’s storytelling to a broader audience.
The story centers on four main characters: Aurobindo Basu, a well-educated man from a wealthy family, his two wives, Manorama and Brajarani, and their son, Ajit. Through these characters, the novel portrays a spectrum of emotions—love, greed, jealousy, patience, desire, and forgiveness—within the confines of family life, reflecting both personal and societal struggles of the time.
This translation maintains the original’s lyrical quality and offers a glimpse into the lives of Bengali women during a transformative period in history. Anurupa Devi’s insight into family and social dynamics makes “Maa” a timeless work that continues to resonate with readers today.
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