This book provides a fascinating glimpse into the lives of traditional (upper-middle class) Bengali women and their families. Roy presents a thorough analysis of the dynamics of extended family life in West Bengal. She begins with an exploration of the special bonds that develop between father and daughter, then moves on to how schooling and classic literature play a role in developing a young woman's idyllic view of married life. Later she contrasts that ideal with the reality of being a stranger competing with one's mother-in-law for the attentions of one's husband, and how this is tempered with the birth of children, especially sons. Finally, she discusses middle age and the later years, when the children have grown and women seek companionship from their sons or religious personages. In some respects, the dynamics that Roy describes here are probably generally found in any culture with a strong tradition of patrilineal extended families. Other aspects of life, particularly religious life, are more unique to Hindu and Bengali culture. The book was originally written some 30 years ago, and certainly there have been many changes in Bengali culture during this time. But even as a window into Bengali family life of the recent past, it a very interesting and well written study.

A Wonderful book that details a Bengali (India) woman's life from birth to death. An enjoyable and informative read. By interviewing many Bengali women, the author gave amazing detail into what it is like to be a woman in Calcutta, by illuminating the subject's feelings, experiences, rituals and secrets. Manisha Roy also offers an update in the back of the book that chronicals the many changes that have happened since she first published the book some twenty years ago. The book gives a timeless glimpse into the private world of Bengali women. Subject range: Sociology/Women's Studies/Anthropology/Indian Cultural Studies, some photos. Highly reccomended!

Bardhan has put together an amazing collection of short stories. The writers belong to different generations and different periods in modern South Asian history, but the selection has so clear an aim that each story belongs as much in the book as the others. The translations are excellent, too. There is none of the awkwardness that one often encounters when a culture is interpreted to the world. As for the stories themselves, they describe the terrible, often chilling, near-helplessness of women and outcastes in Bengal. And yet, even in the most wretched lives, they portray hope and grim triumph. They are remarkably devoid of maudlin compassion.

This is an absolutely wonderful anthology of short stories; one of the best I've ever read. All are quite well written. Most of the stories are about the poorest of the poor in this area of India. While many of the stories are heart-breaking, it is not a depressing read. The title gives an accurate description of the book's focus. Some of the stories were written at the turn of the century & some more recently. Anyone who is interested in India, peasants, poor people or feminism will love this book.

Ms. Lamb has produced a sensitive look into aging in a particular society, but in the process has touched on people of all ages. In observing the people of India I am able to compare to our value system and to touch values of real significance in living. Ms Lamb writes as an anthropologist and pictures real people dealing with adversity and demonstrating positive outlooks. I found the book uplifting and I look forward to more from Ms. Lamb.

This book not only provides a fascinating, rich account of the ways people in West Bengal, India experience aging, but it really makes one think in new ways about the kinds of assumptions permeating aging and dying, family and gender, in our own society (North America). The author, an anthropologist, has spent several years in India. The stories she tells of her own experiences there are some of the most engaging in the book. Particular individuals come alive as well, such as Khudi Thakrun, the oldest woman in the village (at 97 years), who doesn't yet want to relinquish life and the wonderful attachments and pleasures derived from eating sweet mangoes, wandering the village to spread news, and loaning out money to increase her wealth. The book centers on village life but includes as well interesting accounts of old age homes in Calcutta and Indian popular cultural representations of old age. It complements well Lawrence Cohen's NO AGING IN INDIA. This book focuses more on experience, everyday life, and gender.

A Brilliantly written work on the origins and the evolution of the Bengali and Subcontinental revolutionary nationalist movements that aimed to overthrow the despotic imperialist-fascist occupation forces of the British in the Indian subcontinent. Chronological,lucid and absorbing, the author brings in a tremendous amount of authentic sources to give us life-like impressions of freedom fighters such as the immortal Khudiram Bose. The beginnings of Jugantar and the Anushilan Samiti under Aurobindo Ghose and Pulin are also closely studied (there is more emphasis on Jugantar and Aurobindo Ghose, also see Asok Ray's 'Party of the Firebrand Revolutionaries' for more on the Anushilan Samiti) A whole decade of nationalist endeavour passes before our eyes from the creation of these groups to their attempts to defeat the illegal occupation of the subcontinent. And although these movements would be dealt severe blows, it must not be assumed that they were defeated. Jugantar and Anushilan Samiti continued [as fragments] to fight British occupation.Ultimately their efforts would be justified when another great revolutionary,Bengali statesman and nationalist leader Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and his Indian National Army would provide the impetus for the British withdrawal from the subcontinent in 1947. Indeed it was British Premier Clement Attlee who in 1956 said that it was Netaji and the INA who rocked the very foundations of British rule in the Indian subcontinent and created the revolutionary atmosphere [including inspiring the revolt of the sailors of the British Indian Navy and raising the spectre of the First War of Independence of 1857 which threatened defeat for the occupiers of the subcontinent] which made the situation untenable in 1946-47 for British rule in the subcontinent.[when asked what role had Gandhi or Nehru played in forcing the British withdrawal from the subcontinent, Attlee had smiled and said one word, 'minimal'] This book is a must for background to the Indian Subcontinent's independence movement.

The Healthy Cuisine of India is a GREAT cookbook. I LOVE the recipes in this book. This is my first and only Indian cookbook so I can't really compare it to other Indian cookbooks. But I do know that I enjoy the food from these recipes even more than eating out at Indian restaurants. The author gives lots of details explaining the different types of spices and how to prepare them. There is also some discussion of the lore associated with the various recipes. And the food tastes GREAT. Highly recommended.

A beautifully illustrated book with mesmerizing colours: an abundance of deep indigo, jungle greens, various shades of burnt orange, and of course the requisite fuschia. I very much enjoyed the play of colours in this book. With the cut paper collages and paintings, the fabrics flow with textures, layers and decorous patterns.

The story focuses on Sardul, a clever cat who schemes to have his master Jamil marry a princess. Reminiscent of Puss in Boots, when Jamil sighs and wishes he could marry the princess in the palace, Sardul responds "Give me the best waistcoat and the most beautiful sari we have made, Master, and I will make your dream come true."

History buffs should also note that Jamil's Clever Cat is shrewdly retold from "The Folk Tales of Bengal" originally published by the Rev. Lal Behari Day of Hooghly College, Bengal, in 1883.

A great book about the Bhakta traditions of West Bengal. Having lived in India and traveled to West Bengal, I can state that Mrs. McDaniel not only captures the facts, but also the deeper sense of it. She hits at the heart of things in way that to one informed stick out. It is not only what is written, but the way in which it is written that makes me know for certainty that the author knows her stuff. Also provided in the book are rare quotes from tantric literature, as well as stories of little know saints, like vama khepa(the mad saint of the cremation grouds). What makes the book so impressive is that while it comes from an obviously informed prospective, she does not fall into the annoying trap of evangenlist. Moreover, she does not interject herself into the text at all, which seems to be the self important trend of many professors. A great book. I'm surprised it isn't more popular....

Fantastic, must read - travelogue of a journey through the bamboo curtain between south asia and south east asia.

This study traces the emergence and development of a Muslim intelligentsia in Bengal and examines the tension between religious and secular perceptions which they experience in their social and political lives. It explores the various factors which have influenced the ideological position of the intelligentsia, such as ideas derived from their local Indian and trans-Indian linkages as well as contact with a colonial culture. It argues that while religion has always played an important role in the life of the intelligentsia its particular manifestation in political life is a recent phenomenon owing to colonial experiences as well as concerns about legitimacy in the post-colonial phase. It presents an in-depth account of the major discourses in nineteenth- and twentieth-century Bengal including controversies regarding language, identity and nationalism. The distinctiveness of the study lies in its subject matter and the inter-disciplinary approach to it. The study has attempted to relate the ideological orientations of the intelligentsia to their social bases. It finds that the dominant ideology is determined to a large extent by the nature of the ruling elite, its social base as well as its educational and intellectual orientations.

This book, like the one on Saris of Madhia Pradesh, gives excellent insight into Indian textile cottage industry and its interdependence between dealers and producers.Rta Kapur is definitely one of the most knowledgable persons in the field. She knows the rich Indian tradition in textiles and has travelled to the most remote places to gather information. Each chapter starts with "a weaver's journey". Here we get a feeling of what life in rural India can be.An excellent book with beautiful pictures.