The New York Times India Ink blog highlighted Bengal from both sides of the border this week in a duet of well-written articles.
Arnab Ray, otherwise known as Greatbong, gave us a look back at cross-border unity and how the two Bengals have drifted further apart, in his characteristic nostalgic style.
Naeem Mohaiemen paints a picture of the struggle to cross the divide, which despite best intentions, is rewarded with isolation as cultural collaboration seems to threaten the political powers that be.
I had written my impressions here in brief, until I had a few discussions and realized how little I actually know about the situation.
Here's what I do know.
I have been learning Bengali for five years. I have teachers and mentors from both India and Bangladesh. Without their unique perspective, I would not know anything close to what I know now. You cannot learn a language if you separate it from its culture. I had previously only learned from Indian Bengali sources but I was missing something very significant. Only in the last year did I really learn anything about Bangladesh, and since then, my skill level has gone from novice to intermediate. I just feel like I have a fuller picture and I understand much more now that I am getting multiple perspectives.
I know people who have worked cross-border in film, radio, and new media, and yet they remain more influential in their country of origin. I suppose this is natural, but I still admire them for reaching out, particularly when governments don't make this easy.
If you are a student of Bengali, read the articles posted by these talented authors and gain a deeper understanding.
If you are a Bengali, read them and take away what you will; new perspectives or reinforcement of what you have always been saying.
If you are neither, still read and learn a little bit more about a part of the world you may not be familiar with.
I am once again inspired to read, to listen, and to understand. May you find something that inspires you in the same way.
Arnab Ray, otherwise known as Greatbong, gave us a look back at cross-border unity and how the two Bengals have drifted further apart, in his characteristic nostalgic style.
Naeem Mohaiemen paints a picture of the struggle to cross the divide, which despite best intentions, is rewarded with isolation as cultural collaboration seems to threaten the political powers that be.
I had written my impressions here in brief, until I had a few discussions and realized how little I actually know about the situation.
Here's what I do know.
I have been learning Bengali for five years. I have teachers and mentors from both India and Bangladesh. Without their unique perspective, I would not know anything close to what I know now. You cannot learn a language if you separate it from its culture. I had previously only learned from Indian Bengali sources but I was missing something very significant. Only in the last year did I really learn anything about Bangladesh, and since then, my skill level has gone from novice to intermediate. I just feel like I have a fuller picture and I understand much more now that I am getting multiple perspectives.
I know people who have worked cross-border in film, radio, and new media, and yet they remain more influential in their country of origin. I suppose this is natural, but I still admire them for reaching out, particularly when governments don't make this easy.
If you are a student of Bengali, read the articles posted by these talented authors and gain a deeper understanding.
If you are a Bengali, read them and take away what you will; new perspectives or reinforcement of what you have always been saying.
If you are neither, still read and learn a little bit more about a part of the world you may not be familiar with.
I am once again inspired to read, to listen, and to understand. May you find something that inspires you in the same way.
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