WHY should Biswa Parichay (our universe) by Rabindanath Tagore, written so long ago in 1937, be a matter of discussion today? This is because the scientific-minded Tagore comes up less in our discussion than the God-loving poet. This type of discussions has given rise to many interpretations and misinterpretations about the great mind of the poet.
There is another less discussed side of the poet, who has contributed to not only our literature but also to our nation-building efforts. Putting him only within books deprives us of the vision for going ahead in the modern world.
Rabindranath, with some of his contemporaries -- though towering above them all -- showed us the way forward. Just reading his popular poems and listening to his songs pulls down him to a narrow place in our national life.
What is the significance of Biswa Parichay? It makes us realise that the nation cannot develop without learning and practising science. Practising science does not mean only using electric fan, mobile phone, television, laptop, etc., or becoming a doctor or an engineer.
Beyond these, it is necessary to study, think about, debate over, assimilate in life and contribute to the development of science. Biswa Parichay is a book on science written for children. The poet said that he wrote it just to show the way of discussing science in an entertaining and understandable manner for all. Many critics call it the best book on science in Bangla literature.
In it, the poet has discussed physics, biology, chemistry, astronomy, all in a manner of telling a story combining science with life in society. This is the one characteristic that has made this unique among all Bangla books on science.
When our intellectuals are struggling to find Bangla terms for scientific words and are at wit's end, there is a good example in this book which shows that there is no barrier to discussing the most complex scientific ideas in the Bangla language.
This book is not only a scientific explanation of the world, but also a linguistic explanation of it. After discussing the growth and development of the universe, Tagore said, almost in passing: “Eijonnoi amader bhashay ei bishshoke bole JaGaT. Orthat er shongga hochchhe e cholchhe, cholatei er utpotti, cholai er shobhab" (So in our language this universe is called jagat. The definition of it is it is going on, it grows out of movement, and its nature is to keep moving).
I learnt from the writings of Kalim Khan, a linguist in West Bengal, India, that in the Bangla word ja-ga-t, ja = origin, ga = development and t = revolutionary change. (Paroma Bhashar Shongket by Kalim Khan, published by Papyrus,Dhaka .)
Since Tagore wrote this book many scientific ideas and information have changed. Except those few things, the book is as new as if it was written yesterday. It is known that more school students in our country prefer humanities and commerce to science. This is because presentation of science, the most interesting subject of all, is very insipid in our classrooms and so students fail to enjoy the reading of it.
Those who study medical science and engineering do so not so much either for their interest in science or for working for humanity as for the money these professions will fetch -- yet there are not many doctors and engineers in our country. Again, a scientific outlook is necessary for everyone, irrespective of what group s/he studies in; it is imperative for the development of the nation as well.
There are five chapters in this book. Notes can be given at the end of each chapter, showing the changes in modern scientific ideas. Each chapter can be studied in different grades. This article is written as an appeal to the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education to make Biswa Parichay compulsory reading for all from Class IV to VIII.
It will help learners achieve a scientific outlook, understand that all branches of knowledge are unified at a deeper level of understanding, remove some harmful misunderstandings about Tagore from our social life, and ultimately learn to have joy in earning knowledge about our JaGaT.
There is another less discussed side of the poet, who has contributed to not only our literature but also to our nation-building efforts. Putting him only within books deprives us of the vision for going ahead in the modern world.
Rabindranath, with some of his contemporaries -- though towering above them all -- showed us the way forward. Just reading his popular poems and listening to his songs pulls down him to a narrow place in our national life.
What is the significance of Biswa Parichay? It makes us realise that the nation cannot develop without learning and practising science. Practising science does not mean only using electric fan, mobile phone, television, laptop, etc., or becoming a doctor or an engineer.
Beyond these, it is necessary to study, think about, debate over, assimilate in life and contribute to the development of science. Biswa Parichay is a book on science written for children. The poet said that he wrote it just to show the way of discussing science in an entertaining and understandable manner for all. Many critics call it the best book on science in Bangla literature.
In it, the poet has discussed physics, biology, chemistry, astronomy, all in a manner of telling a story combining science with life in society. This is the one characteristic that has made this unique among all Bangla books on science.
When our intellectuals are struggling to find Bangla terms for scientific words and are at wit's end, there is a good example in this book which shows that there is no barrier to discussing the most complex scientific ideas in the Bangla language.
This book is not only a scientific explanation of the world, but also a linguistic explanation of it. After discussing the growth and development of the universe, Tagore said, almost in passing: “Eijonnoi amader bhashay ei bishshoke bole JaGaT. Orthat er shongga hochchhe e cholchhe, cholatei er utpotti, cholai er shobhab" (So in our language this universe is called jagat. The definition of it is it is going on, it grows out of movement, and its nature is to keep moving).
I learnt from the writings of Kalim Khan, a linguist in West Bengal, India, that in the Bangla word ja-ga-t, ja = origin, ga = development and t = revolutionary change. (Paroma Bhashar Shongket by Kalim Khan, published by Papyrus,
Since Tagore wrote this book many scientific ideas and information have changed. Except those few things, the book is as new as if it was written yesterday. It is known that more school students in our country prefer humanities and commerce to science. This is because presentation of science, the most interesting subject of all, is very insipid in our classrooms and so students fail to enjoy the reading of it.
Those who study medical science and engineering do so not so much either for their interest in science or for working for humanity as for the money these professions will fetch -- yet there are not many doctors and engineers in our country. Again, a scientific outlook is necessary for everyone, irrespective of what group s/he studies in; it is imperative for the development of the nation as well.
There are five chapters in this book. Notes can be given at the end of each chapter, showing the changes in modern scientific ideas. Each chapter can be studied in different grades. This article is written as an appeal to the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education to make Biswa Parichay compulsory reading for all from Class IV to VIII.
It will help learners achieve a scientific outlook, understand that all branches of knowledge are unified at a deeper level of understanding, remove some harmful misunderstandings about Tagore from our social life, and ultimately learn to have joy in earning knowledge about our JaGaT.
Shariful Alam
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