Ami Amar Mrityur Par Swadhinata Chaina by Sunil Gangopadhyay , Goutam Datta [Hardcover]

"The dark era of the slave trade is no longer unknown to anyone. People from various countries in Asia and Africa were captured, lured with the promise of work, and sold in slave markets. Countless literary works have documented how humans were transported in the holds of ships, much like sacks of coal. In America, a bloody civil war was fought for the emancipation of slaves. While Abraham Lincoln eventually abolished slavery, African Americans did not achieve equal rights with white people for many years.

After the darkness of slavery came the storm of racial discrimination. The cries, anguish, and rebellion against such oppression, hatred, and injustice have been expressed repeatedly in songs and poetry. Towards the end of the 18th century, prominent African American poet Paul Laurence Dunbar wrote, ‘...Why must the world be so wise to count our tears and sighs?...’ Fenton Johnson penned, ‘...Throw the children into the river; this civilization has given birth to too many/ Let them die—otherwise, they'll grow up and learn/ that they’re colored!...’

However, these poets have not only voiced protest; they have also crafted pure poetry. Rita Dove effortlessly wrote, ‘...How soft are boys’ lips,/ Like a baby’s skin.’ Since ancient times, humans have transcended their biological lives to embrace creativity. In this realm, questions of education and illiteracy hold no meaning. The expression of emotions existed long before written words, forming a vast epoch of creation.

African Americans, too, have shared their stories of love, pain, struggle, and freedom through songs and poetry. The initial helpless cries evolved through protest and a sense of rights, ultimately reaching profound depths of subtlety. This collection introduces Bengali readers to such artistry. It serves as a representative translated anthology of 100 years of African American poetry.

The title of the book is drawn from a line in Langston Hughes’ poetry, encapsulating centuries of history within it. The collection has been edited by Sunil Gangopadhyay, with assistance from Gautam Dutta and Amitabh Choudhury."