The Bengalis are the third largest ethno-linguistic group in the world,
after the Han Chinese and the Arabs. A quarter of a billion strong and
growing, the community has produced three Nobel laureates, world-class
scientists, legendary political leaders and revolutionaries, iconic
movie stars and directors and an unending stream of writers,
philosophers, painters, poets and musicians of the first rank.
But, bald facts aside, just who are the Bengalis? What is the community
all about, stereotypically and beyond stereotype? In order to find the
answers to these and related questions, the author (a Bengali born and
steeped in his own culture but objective enough to give us a balanced
reckoning of his fellows) delves deep into the culture, literature,
history and social mores of the Bengalis. He writes with acuity about
the many strengths of the community but does not flinch from showing us
its weaknesses and tormented history. He points out that Bengalis are
among the most civilized and intellectually refined people on earth but
have also been responsible for genocide and racism of the worst kind.
Their cuisine is justly celebrated, but few remember the cause and
effect of millions of Bengalis dying of famine. Renowned for their
liberal attitudes, they are also capable of virulent religious
fundamentalism.
Argumentative and meditative, pompous and grounded, hypocritical and
wise, flippant and deep - Bengalis are all this and much, much more.
With erudition, wit and empathy, this book manages to capture their very
essence. Unarguably, it is the definitive portrait of one of the world's
most vibrant and distinctive communities.
