This vibrant collection presents 145 brief Bengali lyric poems dedicated to the Hindu goddesses Kali and Uma. These poems - many of which are presented here for the first time in English translation - were written from the early eighteenth century up to the contemporary period. They represent the unique Bengali tradition of goddess worship (Saktism) as it developed over this period. Included are forty poems by the most famous of all Sakta poets, Ramprasad Sen
(c.1718-1775) and ten lyrics by the renowned 20th-century poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. McDermott's lucid introduction places these works in their historical context and shows how images of the goddesses evolved over the centuries. Her lively translations of these poetic lyrics evoke the passion and devotion of
the followers of Kali and Uma and shed light on the history and practice of goddess worship.
- ISBN10 0195134346
- ISBN13 9780195134346
- Publish Date 22 March 2001 (first published 1 January 2001)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Oxford University Press Inc
- Format Paperback
- Pages 304
- Language English