History of Bengali Language and Literature c10.s2.65

c10.s2.65

The Portuguese Kaviwala Mr. Antony. We have not named in this list one kaviwala who enjoyed great popularity in Calcutta and its suburbs early in the 19th century. This was Mr. Antony of Chandernagar. He and his brother Mr. Kelly were of Portuguese parentage, and had settled in Bengal. They had accumulated immense wealth by successful trade in India. Mr. Antony, when a young man, fell in love with a remarkably handsome Brāhmin widow of Chandernagar. He did not marry her, but the pair lived as husband and wife in his garden house at Gereti near Chandernagar, where the remains of his house may still be seen. Antony did not interfere with the religious views of the Brāhmin woman, nay, he encouraged them as best as he could; for in his house at Gereti, the religious festivals of the Hindus were performed by her with great eclat, and he heartily joined the festal ceremonies. The temple of Kālī known as Firingī Kālī, at 243, Bowbāzār Street, Calcutta, was erected by him at her desire.