আশুতোষ ভট্টাচার্য : বাংলার বহুমাত্রিক লোকসংস্কৃতির বিশ্লেষক

Abstract

The present article focuses on the life and works of Ashutosh Bhattacharya, an internationally renowned folklorist of Bengal. Ashutosh Bhattacharya has believed that folklore is a matter of experience and perception. This very ideology has left the mark on every aspect of his diverse career. Ashutosh Bhattacharya was the first to realize the importance of collecting folklore elements through fieldwork in a scientific method for the study of folklore. He has spent his entire life studying and researching on folklore. He has devoted himself to the study of both 'written' and ‘oral' folk literature. In order to institutionalize the study of folklore, he established 'Research Institute of Folk Culture, West Bengal' in 1970 which added a new dimension to the arena of folklore research. Ashutosh Bhattacharya has highlighted many endangered and neglected folk traditions and arts of the country. His enthusiasm and love in every aspect of folklore has been expressed through many of his books, essays and research works. This article also presents a brief discussion on his research works and books.