Vangiya Sahitya Parishad

Bangiya Sahitya Parishad ( _bn. বঙ্গীয় সাহিত্য পরিষদ) was a literary society in Bengal during the time of the Raj (in 1893). It was founded by L. Leotard and Kshetrapal Chakraborty. The aim of the society was to promote Bengali literaure but the society functioned almost entirely in English. In 1894 the journal of the society began publishing in Bengali.

Organization

Romesh Chunder Dutt was the first president in 1894 while Rabindranath Tagore and Navinchandra Sen were the vice-presidents of the society. [http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/V_0016.htm Article] , Banglapedia.] In 1900, Rabindranath Tagore's brother Satyendranath Tagore was made President. [http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/T_0021.htm Article] , Banglapedia.] In later times, Pramatha Chowdhury was a President as well.

20th Century

By the early 1900's membership in the society rose above 500 which prompted members in 1906 to decide to open an office outside Kolkata. The second branch was established in Rangpur and as time passed 30 different branches were established in as well as away from Bengal. The Maharaja of Qasimbazar donated 7 "kathas" (.125 acres) of land to the society in 1909.

Fame

It rose to fame as members patronized the use of Bengali in works of literature. The aim of the society was both to translate great works from other languages into Bengali and produce Bengali literature.

Noted Members

The society had many noted members including: Rabindranath Tagore, Satyendranath Tagore, Debendra Prasad Ghosh, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar and Romesh Chunder Dutt.

References