The Making Of Regional Cultures — Social Studies STD 7 — Question

The Bengali literature is divided into two groups:-

• The first, which owes its origin to Sanskrit.
• The other which is independent of it.

Bengali Owes its Origin to Sanskrit:- This includes translations of Sanskrit epics, the Mangalakavyas (poems dealing with local deities) and Bhakti literature like that of leaders of Vaishnava Bhakti movements like Chaitanyadeva. These texts are easily available as several manuscripts composed between late 15th and mid-18th centuries have been found.
Bengali is Independent of Sanskrit:- This includes Nath literature like the songs of Maynamati and Gopichandra, stories dealing with the worship of Dharma Thakur and fairytales, folk tales and ballads. This source was popular in Eastern Bengal, where the influence of Brahmins was weak. This was circulated orally and has no precise date.