Starmark, In Collaboration With Penguin, Hosts A Captivating Discussion On Rosinka Chaudhuri’s Book, ‘India’s First Radicals: Young Bengal And The British Empire’
BY PAYEL KAR
Starmark, the leading bookstore chain, in collaboration with Penguin, hosted an engaging and thought-provoking discussion on renowned literary scholar Ms Rosinka Chaudhuri book – India’s First Radicals: Young Bengal and the British Empire.
The event brought together readers, academics, students and lovers of Indian history for a powerful evening of conversation and reflection. The discussion explored the bold and often-overlooked story of Young Bengal – a fearless group of students and thinkers in 19th-century Calcutta who dared to speak up against colonial authority and social orthodoxy.
The event featured Ms Rosinka Chaudhuri in conversation with two esteemed cultural figures – Mr Ananda Lal, a noted academic and theatre critic, and Mr Samik Bandopadhyay, a distinguished art and literary critic. Expertly moderated by writer and editor Ms Anjum Katyal, whose thoughtful questions and insights guided the dialogue, the session offered a rich exploration of the book’s key themes. Together, the panel reflected on the significance of the Young Bengal movement, its connection to India’s broader intellectual awakening, and its enduring relevance in contemporary times.
“At Starmark, we believe in creating platforms for conversations that inspire reflection, dialogue, and discovery. Rosinka Chaudhuri’s work opened up an essential yet underexplored chapter in Indian intellectual history, and we were proud to bring this discussion to readers, thinkers and culture enthusiasts”, said Mr Gautam Jatia, CEO, Starmark.
The book offers a compelling narrative of India’s early intellectual rebellion. It follows the story of the Young Bengal movement, led by students of Hindu College and inspired by their iconoclastic teacher Henry Louis Vivian Derozio. These young minds championed liberty, reason, and reform during a time of conservative rule and foreign domination. Ms Chaudhuri’s research shed light on their ideals, their courage, and the socio-political challenges they faced – making this book a remarkable contribution to Indian historical scholarship.
The evening served as a reminder of the transformative power of youth-led dissent and intellectual courage, and was celebrated by attendees as both enlightening and inspiring.
