Authors: Kaiser Haq

The story of the snake goddess Manasa’s epic struggle to win the homage of the recalcitrant merchant prince Chand is probably the most popular folk narrative from the eastern part of the subcontinent. Of the numerous mangalkavyas on the subject the majority were composed in the region that now comprises Bangladesh. A festival honouring Manasa…

It begins with the Swedish Academy’s announcement of the award to Dylan. Everyone is surprised, none more than Dylan himself. He goes into hiding, not taking any calls or responding to messages. Nor does he communicate anything to the wider world. He remains totally incommunicado for days on end. The Academicians break into a sweat:…