History of Bengali Language and Literature c2.3

c2.3

It should be borne in mind that our early Bengali literature had the strange characteristic of forming a gift from the lower to the higher classes. The more cultured ranks of our society under Hindoo rule delighted in the study of classical Sanskrit; during the Mahomedan period, Arabic and Persian were added to this; and the vernacular literature deemed it always a great honour and privilege if it could only now and then obtain an approving nod from the aristocracy. This perhaps accounts for the somewhat vulgar humour that characterises old Bengali writing. But inspite of occasional coarseness a depth of poetry throbbed in the heart of the multitude. I refer my readers particularly to the Maṅgala Gāns, to the works of the Manasā and Chandi-cults, and to the Yātrā and Kavi songs. For the great Vaiṣṇava period of our literature, on the other hand, no apology is necessary. In this our people attained the very flowering point of the literary sense. I do not know how far I have been successful in conveying, even in a small degree, the great beauty of this department of our literature.