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Chandravati (16th century) one of the three well-known women poets of the medieval period, the other two being chandidas' companion, Ramtara or Rami, and
Chaitanyadev's patron, Madhavi. Chandravati was the daughter of dwija bansidas, one of the composers of Manasamangal. Bansidas came from the village of Pathbadi or Patuyari in kishoreganj district. Chandravati has been immortalised as the heroine of Jay-Chandravati published in maimansingha
gitika. In mymensingh area there is a gatha or ballad titled Chandravatir Ramayana which tells the story of Chandravati's love for a Brahmin boy, Jaychandra. The two were to get married when Jaychandra rejected her for a Muslim girl.
Jaychandra even converted to islam
in order to marry his Muslim sweetheart. Jaychandra soon realized that
he still loved Chandravati and tried to return to her. Chandravati, however,
rejected her former lover who committed suicide by drowning himself. Chandravati
grieved at Jaychandra's death. Her father suggested that she occupy herself
by composing Ramayanakatha. She started the work, but died before
she could complete it. dinesh
chandra sen included Chandravati's Ramayana in purbabanga-gitika
(1926). Among Chandravati's other writings are Padmapurana and
Maluya. She is also believed to have written Dasyu Kenaramer
Gatha. [Sambaru Chandra Mohanta]
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