Portrayal Of Society In Shibram Chakraborty’s Literature

Abstract

This paper examines the portrayal of society in the literature of Shibram Chakraborty, a prominent Bengali writer known for his unique blend of humour, satire, and social consciousness. Writing in the post–First World War period, Shibram Chakraborty was deeply influenced by socialism, humanism, rationalism, Gandhian thought, and communism. His literary works reflect the social realities of his time, including blind faith, superstition, the education system, religious hypocrisy, and the lived experiences of the middle class. Through close readings of selected stories such as Debotar Jonmo, Desher Modhye Niruddesh, Shikkhadan, and Kolkatar Halchâl, the study highlights how humour functions not merely as entertainment but as a powerful tool for social critique.

The paper also explores Shibram Chakraborty’s depiction of Kolkata as a living social space shaped by contradictions, modernity and tradition, rationality and superstition, chaos and vitality. His narratives reveal how ordinary people respond to fear, insecurity, and social pressure, often oscillating between scientific reasoning and blind belief. The discussion further shows that Shibram does not impose ideological conclusions on readers; instead, he encourages reflection by presenting social issues through irony and satire.

Overall, the study argues that Shibram Chakraborty’s literature offers a realistic, humane, and rational portrayal of society, making his humorous writings socially relevant and intellectually significant in the context of modern Bengali literature.