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Field Notes from a Waterborne Land

Bengal Beyond the Bhadralok

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Field Notes from a Waterborne Land

Written by: Anindya Chakravorty, Parimal Bhattacharya
Narrated by: Anindya Chakravorty
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About this listen

In the late 2000s, when the three-decade-long Left Front rule in West Bengal was crumbling, Parimal Bhattacharya began to travel outside the well-trodden urban centres to different parts of the region - from the Sundarbans to tribal Jangalmahal, from the outskirts of Kolkata to villages on the Bangladesh border, from the floodplains of the Hooghly to the forests of Simlipal in neighbouring Odisha.

There, he encountered: a woman who was branded a witch because she was listed in the census as literate; an island that vanished famously, only to resurface; a paralysed communist who dreams about the death of a river; a forest community who believe they are descendants of the Harappans; an old millworker and his wife who fight the ghosts of a dead industrial town with laughter; a fisherman uprooted by a river eleven times in twenty years; and many more. This book documents the missing narratives of these 'other' Bengalis, the largely invisible majority beyond the bhadralok that the rest of India knows.

Moving between the personal and the political, and between travelogue, journal and memoir, Field Notes from a Waterborne Land takes the reader on a journey across a fascinating land peopled with unforgettable characters.

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Must read for anyone who wants to understand life in the margins of Bengal. Parimal Bhattacharya is masterfully blends his humane viewpoint into his chronicles without ever meandering into melodrama.

Narration is very good for most part. However the Bengali pronunciation in some places is a bit jarring. But to his credit Anindya Chakravorty keeps the listener engaged throughout which is key to enjoying this format.

Poignant glimpse into the unknown of Bengal

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This book provides a captivating exploration of Bengal during the period of significant political and social changes in the late 2000s. The author embarks on a journey to the less-explored regions of Bengal, moving beyond the familiar urban centers. During his travels, he encounters a diverse array of people and their unique stories, shedding light on the lives of the often overlooked "other" Bengalis. the narratives are distinct from the traditional image of Bhadralok, which is the educated and middle-class elite of Bengal.

"Field Notes from a Waterborne Land" blends elements of personal reflection, politics, travelogue, journal, and memoir. It provides a deep and thought-provoking exploration of the "other" Bengalis, the ordinary people who make up the largely invisible majority of the region. Through the author's engaging storytelling and keen observations, the book offers a captivating journey across a land teeming with unforgettable characters and untold stories, making it a compelling and essential read for those interested in the rich and diverse tapestry of West Bengal.

Get transported to the various experiences

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