The Bengalis

A Portrait of a Community

De: Sudeep Chakravarti

Narrado por: Anindya Chakravorty

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.

©2017 Sudeep Chakravarti (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

VERY INTERESTING

I just finished this very interesting book.
I cannot believe that there are no reviews, other than the reviews of the paper book.
It is a long book and I found every moment interesting.
I think it is very important to read about India.
It is an immense country, so much history, such a diversity of people.
The book is very well written and the narrator, mr.Anindya Chakravorty, was a pleasure to listen to.
He is the right choice for a book such as this.
India has such an interesting history and the world has not heard the last of it.
My thanks to all involved, JK.