ব্রোসালিনা এবং রুশ বঙ্গবিদ্যা Brosalina and Russian Bengali Studies

Abstract

The article is dedicated to the blessed memory of Elena Kirillovna Brosalina (October 24, 1931 — October 17, 2020), outstanding Russian scholar in the field of Bengali language and literature. A specialist of remarkable erudition and versatility, an accomplished translator, and a caring Teacher, Elena Kirillovna not only preserved but also advanced the traditions of Bengali Studies in our country nurturing several generations of Russian Bengalists working now all around the world. Her literary translations granted Russian readers access to the multifaceted richness of Bengali literature, as well as to classic works of British and American detective fiction and the magical realist universe of Salman Rushdie. Never confined to a narrow specialization, Elena Kirillovna's academic interests encompassed a wide range of topics, from the poetics of the ancient Bengali monument “Charyapada” to the structural features of the modern Bengali short story. The article attempts to briefly characterize the life and scientific path of Elena Kirillovna based on her works and memories of her friends, colleagues and pupils.