Barnaparichay

Barnaparichay is a Bengali primer written by 19th century Indian social reformer Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. It was first published in 1855. This is considered as "The Most Influential Primer of Bengal". The primer had two parts. This reflected Vidayasagar's knowledge, expertise and background as a Sanskrit scholar. The success of the first part of the primer inspired Vidyasagar to work on the second part. It remained an important source for teaching Bengali. This standardized the Bengali alphabet.

Composition history
Before the publication of Barnaparichay, many Bengali teaching primer books were available in the market. Some examples are Bangla Śikṣagrantha (বাঙ্গালা শিক্ষাগ্রন্থ)(1821); Barnamala 1st Part (বর্ণমালা প্রথম ভাগ)(1853) and Barnamala 2nd part(বর্ণমালা দ্বিতীয় ভাগ)(1854) by School Book Society; Śiśusebadhi(শিশুসেবধি)(1854) by Kshetramohan Dutta in three parts; ŚiśuŚikṣa books by Madanmohan Tarkalankar (শিশুশিক্ষা গ্রন্থ)। But these books didn't gain much popularity. The authors didn't have the ability to bring a revolution in Bengali alphabet system. It id said that once Paricharan Sarkar and Vidyasagar decided to write primer book in English and Bengali. Therefore, Paricharn published First Book of Reading and Vidyasagar published Barnaparichay(Prothom bhag)[Translated] English book written by Paricharan was popular in Bengal for long time. But now, in this world of Globalisation,this book doesn't have any value. But Barnaparichay is still used as a first primer book to teach Bengali to kids in Bengal. Now colorised versions of book are also available.

Features

 * ৯ is removed from vowel list. Now it's only used for Sanskrit transliteration of ऌ.
 * The pronunciation of second "ব"in Bengali is same as first one but is repeated for second time.
 * The text has been written in simple and short sentences suitable for children.  Here first the child learns the letters in alphabetical order, learns small words by mouth with the letters, then a test of letter recognition, then the beginning of learning to spell by adding letters and letters.  Then there are small short prose compositions in easy to understand short sentences.
 * Here we see that instead of memorizing the previously unintelligible syllables, the child is learning familiar words and becoming familiar with fluent Bengali prose writing.  Thus Vidyasagar paved the way for simple and modern Bengali prose for all educated Bengalis.
 * The important thing is punctuation.  The awareness and application of punctuation in Bengali prose has not been seen before.  Vidyasagar's use of punctuation in these fluent prose is noteworthy.  An example can be drawn from the text number 19 of Barnaprichay:-
 * গোপাল যখন পড়িতে যায়, পথে খেলা করে না; সকলের আগে পাঠশালায় যায়; পাঠশালায় গিয়া আপনার জায়গায় বসে; আপনার জায়গায় বসিয়া, বই খুলিয়া পড়িতে থাকে; যখন গুরু মহাশয় নূতন পড়া দেন, মন দিয়া শুনে।
 * (When Gopal goes to read, he does not play on the way;  goes to the classroom before everyone else; goes to class and sits in her seat;  Sitting in your seat, opening the book and reading;  When Guru Mahashay (Teacher) gives a new reading, he listens with his mind.)[Translation]


 * The 20 lessons in this book can be called the beginning of Bengali children's literature.  Small sentences, pictures as well as rhythm.
 * For example-
 * ২ পাঠ: পথ ছাড়। জল খাও। হাত ধর। বাড়ী যাও।
 * [Translation]Lesson 2: Give way.  drink water  hold hands  go home
 * ৩ পাঠ: কথা কয়। জল পড়ে। মেঘ ডাকে। হাত নাড়ে। খেলা করে।
 * [Translation]Lesson 3: He talks. Water falls. Cloud thunders. Nods hand. Plays.

Quotes related to features

 * He was a pioneer of modern teacher-education.  He has also written several suggestions for teachers on teaching.  Vidyasagar has given guidance on varnayojana in both parts of Barnaparichay.  In the preface of the sixth edition of the first part he writes for teachers:-

Popularity
The book was highly effective is evident from its cut and popularity. From 1855 to Vidyasagar's death (1891), a total of 152 printed editions of Barnaparichay Part I were published in a total of 35 years. 88 thousand copies were printed in 11 editions in the first three years. To curb the reader's curiosity, the first edition of this book was printed in 3 thousand copies. This number should be enough for those times. 33 lakh 60 thousand copies of this book were printed in 127 editions in 23 years from 1867 to 1890. That is, at this time, an average of 1 lakh 40 thousand copies of this book were printed annually. Needless to say, this cut or increase in popularity has a direct relationship with the spread of education.