READING, WRITING, AND RECLAIMING: BHAKTIVINODA THAKURA AND THE MODERNIZATION OF GAUDIYA VAISHNAVISM: Journal of Vaishnava Studies

Abstract

Babai is a very young Bengali child. For the first few years of his life he has lived in adolescent bliss with his extended family in Calcutta.
He is especially fond of his paternal aunt (pisi) whom he loves dearly. Each day, they play together and sing for hours and hours. There is no one in the world more important to Babai than his adored aunt.
One day Babai learns some disturbing news. He is informed that his beloved aunt will soon be leaving his household. She is to be married to a Calcutta gentleman and she will be moving away. Babai is not at all pleased with the news. After meeting the new uncle and spending time with him, Babai explains to his parents what bothers him most about the intrusive figure: “This uncle of mine lounges around all day. He does nothing. He just lies there and reads books. And how does he read? He doesn’t really read! He opens books and silently stares at them!”