A compilation with a difference

The book titled Abahaman Banglar Kotipyo Bachan (Some adages of eternal Bangladesh) is  a compilation with a difference in the sense that it contains various proverbs and adages of different areas of Bangladesh, which have crept in our daily life. These adages and maxims are frequently used in our conversation and at times their meanings are so significant that they reflect the real spirit of the occurrences, events or moods. Not surprisingly, all these have stemmed mostly from localised history and tradition and as such are closely associated with such dialects and tones that are prevalent in those areas. Understandably, many of these proverbs may no be welcomed for those who would not be able to grasp them in their true essence. Nevertheless, these are invaluable assets of the country and the people as inheritance of rich traditions.
Dr. Amena Bugum is a senior teacher of physics at the University of Dhaka. What makes the publication something of immense interest is that she has gone out of the box to compile something that probably is not her cup of tea. Indeed, it is a splendid work on the part of a physicist to embark on the painstaking effort of collecting the rarely available adages scattered all over the country. Since the task is daunting, she has compiled mainly from some areas like Noakhali and Sylhet. Needless to say, the dialect of these two areas are so different like that of Chittagong and  some other areas that it is often quite difficult to follow them unless someone is accustomed with them. For those, who care for rich tradition of the country's language and dialects, this compilation is a precious treasure.
Many of the contents are really very interesting and evoke instant laughter as well as at times sadness when someone understands it. However, one would not struggle much to fathom the meanings even if there is some difficulty in understanding them.
Dr. Amena Begum deserves praises for making a different kind of endeavour and reading of the book would certainly be worthwhile. The 84-page publication from the University Press limited looks good with a simple cover.
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Abahaman Banglar
Kotipyo Bachan
By Amena Begum
The University Press Lmited,
84 pages, Prize Tk 250