Obscure Religious Cults as Background of Bengali Literature c5.40

c5.40

The popular religious ceremonies of women-folk, particularly of the maidens, have also supplied us with nice pieces of folk literature. The ceremonies, of which there are a good number of varieties, are generally known as the Vratas (vows) and are accompanied by the recitation of rhymed or unrhymed rhythmic verses (generally known as the Vrata-kathā) which contain fine touches of rural poetry. In the performance of these ceremonies there is always an element of art,—either the art of poetry or the art of painting. These Vratas are still adding a subconscious aesthetic pleasure to the conscious religious sentiment of the women-folk of Bengal.