"A brilliant analysis of Vyasa's myths in terms
of Vedic truths comes as a fresh corroboration of the validity of the
integral approach... It is delightful to see the author reads correctly the
message of Vyasa...with a marvellous sweep from Veda to Savitri...Shri
Bhattacharya's scholarship has an eye and ear for the mystic, which is the
essential pre-requisite for a researcher in Indology... After going through
the 155 pages of his book, one is convinced that the Mahabharata is a unique
time-capsule invented by Vyasa the Veda--the Grand Synthesis--is preserved
for posterity."
Dr. Gauri Dharmapal, The Statesman, Mother India and
Srinvantu.
"The technique the author adopts to discover the secret meaning
is indeed a Herculean task. Since the Mantras reveal their innermost secret
only to an intuitive mind, Bhattacharya with little difficulty attains
success...the fruit of a decade of intensive study of the epic...(his)
arguments are very convincing and his discoveries open up new vistas in the
Hindu epic lore. Certainly the seeker after spiritual truth cannot afford to
ignore this book which is a consummate scholarly piece of work written with
verve and style."
Dr. P. Raja, Mother India.
"I read your book on the
Mahabharata and enjoyed it greatly. More than anything, it showed a deep and
moving comprehension of the symbols, something experienced rather than
simply quoted."
Maggi Lidchi Grassi, internationally renowned novelist.
"While commenting on
certain issues Bhattacharya recreates the stories behind them and does so
with beauty and restraint, making cogent references to sources to sources
outside the Mahabharata whenever appropriate. He shows, through arguments,
cross-references to characters and events and drawing our attention to the
totality of the Mahabharata are more meaningful than meets the eye. He has
followed a method which he expects would let the epic 'as it were, to grow
on the reader'. No doubt he succeeds in this."
Prof. Manoj Das, The
Statesman.
"He has pegged the Mahabharata squarely within an international framework of
comparative literature and universal appeal. (His) method is painstaking...
He searches for meaning, layer within layer. Thus we find him meticulously
splitting hairs with a very definite purpose-the drawing out of nuances and
variations of emphasis. Particularly impressive is (his) capacity for
underlining the tongue-in-cheek humour in the Mahabharata, which most
commentators are too solemn to note...Another service the commentator
performs is to highlight those verses which once heard ring for ever in our
ears...The book is not for cursory reading. It represents hours of solid
study and requires to be approached in a similar spirit. The author deserves
all praise for his application in the midst of the pressures of his working
life far removed from academic cloisters."
Ketaki Datta, Business Standard.
"this enthralling book...One does not very often come across a work of such
elegance and depth. Bhattacharya's prose is effortless and beautiful... He
has established his firm control over the language even in the poetic form
while transcreating some slokas...extremely well-informed commentary...has
continuously endeavoured to establish some kind of continuity, remove
irrelevance, apparent or otherwise, establish the logicality of seemingly
meaningless words and episodes with tremendous research... He presents very
interesting social and cultural concepts prevalent within that frame of
reference... (he) has made it a point to mention and pinpoint all the Vedic
concepts in the epic whenever they occur in the course of narrative...The
basic characteristic of the book is the brilliant of incidents which is very
clearly the results of extensive research...He has introduced touches of
humour too, which, in combination with his erudition and skill with
language, has made the book eminently readable...He has also done the
stupendous task of connecting far-related incidents...consequently the
reader obtains a clear, logical, intelligible and sane picture of the very
involved and confused panorama of the Mahabharata...(he) has provided for
fun time too...There are so many pieces of interesting information that one
is amazed...a genealogical chart and a map...are two of the best points of
the book. Thematic analysis and highlighting have made (the book) an
experience of a special kind...The book leaves one with a feeling of joy and
satisfaction...(he) has analysed the characters and incidents with
consummate skill and dedication and provided an unforgettable insight into
the greatest story of the tragedy of man. He has done this service only for
the first parva. There are seventeen more. Here is hoping that we shall hear
from him again, soon, on these."
Maj. Gl. S.K. Sen, VSM, Vyasa's
Mahabharata: Creative Insights, Vol. 1. ed. Padma Sri Prof. P. Lal (Writers
Workshop, Calcutta).
"A commendable effort to analysis the alap--the baffling nebulous mass of
material with which the epic begins...bringing out (the) central theme of
each of the subparvas...poetic breath is retained in translation. He also
injects a bit of Comparative Mythology...His sub-titling...shows more
vividly the connecting links...(they) become a condensed commentary, or
rather sutras, to comprehend the Adi Parva...the author (is) a successful
explorer of symbolism...He analyses each section and gives his comments.
Dhritarashtra's psychoanalysis from his famous lament is excellent...(His)
observations are insights what really help us to get glimpse of the Vyasan
Vision and Master's mastery of his epic art in all its nuances. He helps the
reader to to comprehend the web of inter-connections...He also points out
similarities with the other epic Ramayana...He gives parallels from European
literature of characters, themes, expressions etc. which add a taste of
comparative literature and thus widen our field of vision...The study is lit
up with humour at places...Vyasa's humour is also noted. He delightfully
follows the Indian habit of chanting out a couplet by way of comment even in
a serious critical work. Thanks are due to Bhattacharya for displaying to us
some intricate fabrics of the gigantic pattern that is the Mahabharata and
giving us another opportunity to breath-in the refreshing air of great
poetry, blowing away the monotony of life and opening up a Cosmic Panorama
before which all pettiness vanishes."
Dr. Gauri Dharampal, Mother India, The
Statesman, Srinvantu.
"Pradip Bhattacharya and M.
P. Birla Foundation deserve the gratitude of all the serious students of the
Mahabharata. The translation is almost word-perfect...He has been able to
capture the flow and the difficult and complicated syntax used by
Bankim...very successfully captured that distinguishing atmosphere that is
essentially Bankim...The introduction contains some interesting information
hitherto little-known...The Bibliography...is very exhaustive...This work of
translation is a production of very high order. The printing, the binding,
the get-up etc. are excellent."
Maj. Gl. S.K. Sen, Vyasa's Mahabharata:
Creative Insights, Vol. 2, ed. Padma Sri Prof. P. Lal (Writers Workshop),
The Statesman.
"But what is more, he enriches the work in the light of research subsequent
to Bankimchandra's... He also provides in the Appendix notes on references
to works and persons left unannotated by Bankimchandra as well as English
rendering of Sanskrit verses the author quoted only in their original."
Prof. Manoj Das, The Hindu.q "A monumental work...I do not think that
anybody working on Mahabharata or Lord Krishna can afford to neglect this
work...Publication and printing is flawless and matches to the standards of
the contents of the book. The M. P. Birla Foundation deserves
congratulations."
Prof. Jodh Singh, Head, Department of Religious Studies,
Punjabi University, The Journal of Religious Studies.
The critique written on Mrityunjaya by a
Calcutta civilian Pradip Bhattacharya IAS has behind it not only his own
research on the Mahabharata but also the two Hindi and English translations
of Mrityunjaya. He has examined Shivaji's Karna differs from Sawant's Karna,
where Shivaji has departed from facts to establish the greatness and
sublimity of his creation, Karna, nothing has escaped Bhattacharya's eye.
Still, he remains an admirer of Sawant's genius...Bhattacharya's scholarly
critique has brought the hapless Karna even closer to us."
Neeta Sen
Samarth, DESH.
"This is the real microscopic literary valuation of Mrityunjaya. My
heartiest congratulations with thanks to him. Here he has taken a deep dive
like the author into the character of Karna. He has suggested some very
essential corrections... done full justice to the magnum opus literary
creation."
Shivaji Sawant, author of Mrityunjaya.
"A brilliant critique. His assessment of the ten volumes is certainly most
enlightening and puts the entire work in proper perspective."
Satish
Bhatnagar, translator of the Hindi script into English.
"I feel particularly obliged for your very enlightening critique (and)
in-depth study of Mahabharata...all praise for the highly intellectual
display of critical excellence...Your critique on the serial was really a
masterpiece of writing... heartfelt thanks for the contribution you have
made to books on Mahabharata."
Dr. B. R. Chopra, noted film-maker & producer
of the tele-epic.
"Mythology--A Contemporary Appropriation: "Bhattacharya goes to great pains
to chronicle these departures (from the epic) bringing to bear his
considerable scholarship in this area... Both Reza and Bhattacharya are
believers in the feminine cause...With Reza and Bhattacharya the
Kunti-Draupadi-Gandhari triumvirate emerges from the no less resplendent
than the Arjuna-Karna-Bhima trio, an yang-yin balance which enhances the
impact of the epic... Bhattacharya here goes the entire distance in
secularising the epic...If Bhattacharya after Bankim Chandra is more
concerned with Krishna as Purushottama, Reza is occupied with showing
Krishna as Magi not Magic. The end result in both cases is a character more
suited for secular absorption."
Champak Chatterjee IAS, The Indian Book
Chronicle & Vyasa's Mahabharata: Creative Insights, Vol. 2, ed. Padma Sri
Prof. P. Lal.
"Is anybody listening? "Pradip Bhattacharya's review, in many ways, is
much more than a review. It is an independent work that throws a lot of
intimate insights into the mysteries of the epic. He has given his own
interpretation, besides, pointing out the strengths and weaknesses of Reza's
presentation and those of the English translation. Consequently, what we
have in the 10th. volume is a work of art, that not only has incisive
criticism, but also creative insights that give us much more than what we
have in the script. Reza has thrown up many ideas on values and PB has
dexterously fielded them, enriching his observations with his characteristic
expertise. Those important aspects of the Mahabharata which Reza should have
included but did not and those aspects that Reza has included but has
blundered are pinpointed with ruthless precision and exposed in razor-sharp
clarity... The nicest thing about it is that there is no exhibitionism, no
pomposity of the pseudo-intellectual, but the simplicity of a mind rich in
incisive wisdom that is born out of a comprehensive assimilation of
available literature... PB has an excellent discussion on the similarity of
the principal female characters and the concept of eternal virginity...we
get information not commonly known...His discussion of lust being the
nemesis of the Paurava Dynasty is one important contribution...he
startlingly reveals that it was Dharma who protected Draupadi, not Krishna.
He gives us a hint that the entire episode of vastraharana is an
interpolation. PB effectively brings out Krishna's political acumen... PB's
discussion of the Sishupala incident is significant in dispelling the myth
of Bhisma's unquestioned supremacy (and) for the demystification of
Krishna's superhuman Halo... PB introduces the Kalpataru concept but
unfortunately does not elaborate... But his discussion on the Karna-Kunti
relationship provides perhaps the most interesting analysis of a much-talked
about incident of the Mahabharata. PB has very sensitively brought out an
expose on Dharma as spoken by various characters...he has been able to, very
effectively, garnish his review with quotations and discussions from
authors... He has also quoted parallel situations from European mythology
and literature... We also find evidence of his expertise in this field (of
Transactional Analysis) in his work... PB has also brought in modern day
parallels...these, too, have added a freshness to the work and brought in a
touch of contemporaneity...a superb work of penmanship."
Maj. Gl. S.K. Sen
VSM, Vyasa's Mahabharata: Creative Insights Vol. 2 (ed. Padma Sri Prof. P.
Lal).
"I like rehandling of old texts with changes in accents and nuances. Some of
these may not be quite sound and for creative changes tributes are due. Reza
deserves such a homage and your long critique pays it unreservedly. It must
have taken through study and is most comprehensive."
Krishna Chaitanya.
"Epic which came to the drawing room: "Volume X has also a Critique running
to about 280 pages of high class English prose which is at once a fine
addition to modern Indo-Anglian English literature and an extremely fair,
critical review of Rahi Masoom Reza's monumental work in Hindi for the T.V.
Serial of the Mahabharata.. Pradip Bhattacharya's Critique is a masterpiece
of Literature by itself and it can be safely recommended for special study
for students of modern mass communication schools in the English speaking
world."
K. Vedamurty, The Hindu.
"A trip down the memory lane: "Pradip Bhattacharya has a brilliant epic
simile to ram it (the public stripping of Draupadi) down our
intelligence...truly a meaningful gift to the coming generations. In his
masterly analysis of the script, (he) whirls us through the inner countries
of the mind to get at the core significance of Vyasa's epic as well as
Reza's version. In the course of a painstaking, fair and boldly critical
study of Reza's script, he brings in scores of other versions of Vyasa's
epic characters... There is a blow-by-blow comparison of Vyasa and
Reza...According to PB, the very fact that an Indian Muslim has brilliantly
recast the epic is a sterling validation of the universality of appeal of
Rishi Vyasa's epic...Backed by wide reading in Indian and Western
literatures, Pradip 'load every rift with ore' in his critique. The way Reza
and he have amply fulfilled Sri Aurobindo's dream for a 'weighty, careful
and unbiased study of the work, canto by canto, passage by passage, line by
line, which can alone bring us to any valuable conclusions."
Dr. Prema
Nandakumar, The Hindu.
(Pratibha Ray's novel won the Orissa Sahitya Akademi Award and Bharatiya
Jnanpith's Moorti Devi Puraskar ):
"In a language richly poetic and
sensitive, which seems to have lost no beauty in translation by Pradeep
Bhattacharya, Draupadi's soul in its poetry, charm and music cries out for
love."
Janaky, Indian Express.
"Pradip Bhattacharya's translation shows that Pratibha's original Oriya
must have strong and suggestive whorls of significance. Here is no doubt a
welcome addition to the growing shelf of Indian literature in translation."
Dr. Prema Nandakumar.
"Nicely written and translated, it has interesting twists on the marriage."
Dr. Alf Hiltebeitel, Professor of Religion, The George Washington
University, in Rethinking the Mahabharata (University of Chicago Press), p.
268.
"Your essays are wonderful, simply brilliant. Your review is full of lovely
insights giving me insights into my insights!!"
Maggi Lidchi Grassi,
(internationally acclaimed novelist).
"I feel you have been more than generous. The criticisms you have made but
lend credibility to the praise...your critiques of Sawant's and Maggi
Lidchi-Grassi's novels are very perceptive indeed."
Dr. K. R. Srinivasa
Iyengar.
"I fully agree with your critique of my colleague, John Smith's review of
the Brook Mahabharata...Sometimes western scholars study this great epic
with preconceived notions."
Dr. Julius Lipner, Faculty of Divinity,
University of Cambridge.
"The essays by Pradip Bhattacharya and B. K. Matilal are serious, deep."
Arnab Guha, Amrita Bazar Patrika.
"Paradoxically, it is the seemingly heavy essays of Pradip Bhattacharya that
keep us glued to the book with their dramatic inputs... 'Desire under the
Kalpataru' shows what an astute observer of the epic Pradip is, a fact seen
in several other pages of the volume containing his reviews or where his
views get discussed...Even a school-boy effusion in 'What Happened to the
Golden Mongoose' Aurpon tells his tale with a neat moral."
Dr. Prema
Nandakumar, The Hindu.
"We found the article of great interest,
and it shows considerable scholarship." Nanny de Vries, co-editor Thamyris.
"Panchakanya indeed made a very interesting reading. I am yet to come across
such exhaustive yet comprehensive piece of work. It appears as through the
writer has actually delved deep into the minds of all the five characters
(this I say inspite of the references used) and somewhere deep down I feel
there is one in most of us. The write-up is very much unputdownable."
nisiasn@yahoo.com
"What a fantastic piece of writing is Panchakanya! The research is
extraordinary, but so is the in-depth analysis.It's the kind of writing that
should reach the wider reading public.champions of women's rights, feminists
included, would be greatly interested."
Dr. Sarala Barnabas, scholar and
novelist, Ahmednagar College, Maharashtra.
"Many thanks for the complex and fascinating notes on the dharma of niyoga,
which strike me as absolutely right."
Dr. Wendy Doniger, University of
Chicago.
"I have been very interested in your text, it breathes life into old friends
of mine, Bhishma, Karna, Krishna, Satyavati, Kunti and Draupadi, and it has
deeply changed the opinion I could have on them. Thus, I have the impression
to understand them better, which gives me also a better understanding of the
epic itself. Be thanked for that."
Epic Threads by J.L. Brockington:
"Your long and thoughtful review does justice to Brockington's work, and I'm
glad to have seen it. The review of Richman's book is-like your review of
Brockington-very thoughtful and balanced and well-informed. The Panchakanya
article introduced me to a topic I had never come across before."
Gilles Schaufelberger, on
the Panchakanya Seminar report on www.indianest.com
"I am grateful to you for such a long and
detailed review of Epic Threads.thank you once again for the care with which
you have prepared your review."
Prof. J.L. Brockington, School of Asian
Studies, Edinburgh University.
Dr.J. D.
Smith, Faculty of Oriental Studies, Cambridge University, on the reviews of
Epic Threads and Questioning Ramayanas.