Bengali Flower: 50 Poems from India and Bangladesh with Psalms, Proverbs & Scripture - Softcover

Scott, John; Tagore, Rabindranath

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1448649161 ISBN 13: 9781448649167

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2009

Synopsis

Poetry from India and Bangladesh by Rabindranath Tagore (1861 - 1941), Nobel Prize winning writer and poet from India and what is now Bangladesh.

Tagore toured widely throughout the world in an effort to bring Eastern culture to the west and vice-versa. This cross-cultural effort reflects the purpose of this book. 

Additionally, it is of value for youth of Asian Indian background to be familiar with their own rich literary cultural heritage.

Included in this version are Psalms, Proverbs and Scripture from a number of translations. This collection contains a biography of Tagore, as well as background sections on Kolkota (Calcutta), India and Bangladesh. 
Charts and maps include: 
* 23 major languages of India 
* 50 most populous cities of India 
* Religions of India and Bangladesh
* 500 word Bengali dictionary primer 
* How to read Bengali 

Bengali is the fifth most spoken language in the world. By learning the language and culture of another nation, we are creating bridges rather than walls, which is the purpose of this book. 

Rabindranath Tagore poems included in this collection are, Children On the Seashore; Baby's World; Colored Toys; Playthings; Flower School; Paper Boats; The Astronomer; Sympathy; The Last Bargain; My Song; The Rainy Day; The Chanpa Flower; Vocation; The Further Bank; Twelve O'Clock; Nature; Fireflies; Light; Lotus; The Banyan Tree; The First Jasmines; The Gardener XIV: I Was Walking by the Road; Relationships & Friendships; Friend; Old and New; Passing Breeze; Silent Steps; Spirituality & Eternity; Face to Face; False Religion; Patience; Give Me Strength; Distant Time; Endless Time; Leave This; Let Me Not Forget; Beggarly Heart; Closed Path; Prisoner; Strong Mercy; Purity; Journey Home; Salutation; Sleep; Philosophy, Hope & Poetry; Sail Away; Song Unsung; My Song is Born; Chain of Pearls; The Boat; Lover's Gifts XLVII: The Road; When Day is Done; Where Shadow Chases Light; Baby's Way 
Three original poems: Summer day in Bangladesh, John Scott Bengali Flower, John Scott Peace, Kutub Uddin, Sylhet, Bangladesh 

About this title

From the Author:

Bengali is a beautiful language and has been described in poetic terms like the sound of water flowing in a stream. Tagore's poetry is captivating to me and reading it is peaceful and culturally enriching. Young people from India and Bangladesh need to stay in touch with their cultural roots, beyond Bollywood. Bollywood was once graceful, but it has lost much of its charming appeal in favor of commercialism and sexuality at all costs. The poetry of India retains its grace and its high principles, helping us to aspire to what is sublime and beautiful.
 The scriptures in this collection correspond to Tagore's own high principles and philosophies and help cross the two cultures in what is, hopefully interpreted as, a harmonious blend. I hope that it helps to make the beautiful poetry more accessible to second generation Indians and Bangladeshis, as well as bringing the culture and language more readily into the hearts and minds of English speaking persons who may not have had the opportunity to get to know the cultural roots of India and Bangladesh. I hope that it will help to inspire a new generation of poets. John Scott 

From the Back Cover:

Persons from India and Bangladesh have immigrated to many host countries such as the U.S., Britain, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands and Australia. Young people from these countries can learn about their own cultures and the rich literary heritage that was developed in previous decades. 

About this edition

• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 1448649161
• ISBN 13: 9781448649167
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 144