Souvik Ghosh/IBNS | @notintownlive | 20 Jan 2020, 12:16 am

Kolkata: Launching her book Chandrabati's Ramayan in presence of eminent artists, The Bengal and Zubaan celebrated the life of writer and academician late Nabaneet Dev Sen at the ICCR Kolkata on Thursday.
Chandrabati’s Ramayan was translated by Dev Sen and published by Zubaan.
The book was launched by The Bengal president and painter Jogen Choudhuri, Dev Sen's daughters Antara and Nandana.
“It makes me very emotion to think of our poet, writer, teacher and friend Late Nabaneeta Dev Sen. We would hold this programme once in every three years in Kolkata and invite the poets and litterateurs from across the country to celebrate Nabaneeta di’s works,” said Choudhuri.
He added, "Though she is not present anymore among us, we will remember her always. She will be remembered by the whole country. Whoever will study literature will never forget her."
Chandrabati’s Ramayana – composed originally in Bengali - is a narrative about a woman, narrated by woman, meant for women audience and the English version of the book has been translated by a woman.
Before reading out extracts from Chandrabati's Ramayan, Antara, a journalist by profession, said, "Mother did her research in Balmiki Ramayana and Chandrabati’s Ramayana had a deep and lasting impact on her work and life.”
Chandrabati is widely considered to be one of the first women poets of Bengal who is best known for her women-centric composition interpreting of Ramayana from Sita’s point of view which challenges the dominant ideology of patriarchy of the time.
Nandana, who is an actress, at the event said, "Chandrabati’s poetry had a lasting impact on her mind and works. Like so many other women, Chandrabati’s Ramayana had also immensely influenced my mother’s grandmother."
"I am really thrilled that all (poets and writers) are present here to celebrate Ma's (mother's) profound love of poetry..." she said.
Late Nabaneeta Dev Sen was an active member of The Bengal for years and had initiated many events and activities pertaining to women empowerment and spreading awareness of gender equality.
A reading session was held in which excerpts were read out by eminent litterateurs Vasanth Kannabiran, Sanjukta Bandopadhyay, Anjum Katyal, Nirupama Dutt, Raka Dasgupta, Sebanti Ghosh, Mehul Devkala, Samragnee Bandopadhyay and Srijato.
Dev Sen, who was the first wife of Nobel laureate Amartya Sen, had studied English and Comparative Literature in Presidency College, Jadavpur University and Harvard University and was known for her erudition and writings that included poems, satires, novels, travelogues and even fables.
- Kolkata: Mega health camp transforms lives in Ultadanga slum with free multi-specialty services
- 'Music Meets Bells' returns: New York to witness divine confluence of sound and movement
- SonaSPEED motors power NASA–ISRO synthetic aperture radar mission
- London to host maiden thought leadership summit IndiSetu to boost India-UK innovation and cultural ties
- From Loom to Label: Sona College of Tech’s Fashion Tech department powering innovation and careers
- IBCN 2025: Celebrating the Chettiar legacy, powering youthful enterprise
- Rotary Year 2025-26: Dr. Ramendu Homchaudhuri leads charge towards a Thalassemia-free India
- Twin National Honours for Faculty Excellence and Research Leadership
- Kolkata: IACC celebrates rich culinary heritage of India, USA
- Bengal Pro T20 League: A week of thrills, spills and rain interruptions
Malaysia Airlines will expand its South India network by adding more flights on the Kuala Lumpur–Trivandrum route to meet rising demand, the airline said. From September 12, the carrier will operate five weekly services, with daily flights to start from December 1.
IndiGo has expanded its codeshare agreement with KLM, the Netherlands’ national airline, providing its passengers with enhanced access to destinations across Europe and the United Kingdom through KLM’s network, the airline said.
Etihad Airways and Azul Brazilian Airlines have signed a frequent flyer partnership, allowing members of Etihad Guest and Azul Fidelidade programme to earn and redeem loyalty points across both airlines.