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CONTEMPORARY MODERN BENGALI POETRY
Many of the contemporary poets - old and young, have
contributed to the embellishment of modern Bengali poetry. Some of the illustrious names which deserve special mention in this regard are Birendra
Chattopaddhay, Dinesh Das, Sukanta Bhattacharya, Arun Mitra, Nirendra Nath, Pranabendu Dasgupta, Sunil
Gangopaddhay, Sakti Chattopaddhay, Sankha Ghosh, Aloke Ranjan Dasgupta, Binoy
Mazumder, Utpal Kumar Basu etc. A short account of some of their
works is given below.
SUKANTA BHATTACHARYA
(1926 - 1947)
A gem of a poet and a great dreamer Sukanta Bhattacharya
survived for a mere twenty one years. But in this extremely short tenure, he had revealed an astonishing command of style, content and variety of
ideas. His poems were influenced by a rich political fervour. In some places, his poems have shirked off all
suppleness and turned into mere slogans to focus his political
outlook. In spite of this, it must be admitted that this rare prodigy had
given rise to a unique style, diction and technical subtlety
which added new colour and gave a new meaning to Bengali
poetry.
BIRENDRA CHATTOPADDHAY (1920
- 1985)
Birendra Chattopaddhay used his poetry as a platform to fight against
wide-scale corruption and malpractices prevailing in the administration and among the
politicians. His poems are tender and tinged with sympathy and profound love for the tortured,
proletariat class and the have-nots. In this attempt, some slogans have also been transformed into rich poetry
by him. Some of his notable poetic works are 'Ulukhagrer Kabita', 'Mrityuttirna', 'Lakhinder' etc.
SUBHAS MUKHOPADDHAY
Subhas Mukhopaddhay had appeared in the world of Bengali
poetry as a rebel poet. He dodged all the dicky emotions aside and
hoisted the flag of his intrepid life with a robust spirit. His poems are
wonderful medleys of colourful language and exquisite rhythm pattern.
But in course of time, his poems have donned a less rebellious look. He has
matured over the years and gradually entered the more profound,
serene and mysterious zones of life. Some of his notable
works of poems are - 'Padatik', 'Agnikone', 'Jato Durei Jai', 'Kal Madhumas' etc.
Some of his famous novels are - 'Hungrat', 'Ke Kothay Jai' etc.
ARUN MITRA (1909 - 2000)
The veteran poet Arun Mitra has looked at the material world with a pragmatic approach. He has thoroughly realized the ambiguity,
scepticism and the trials and tribulations of middle-class life. Simultaneously, he has harped on the themes of nature and ecstasy of love. He has composed many poems on prose-verse pattern. He has
sung the song of rebellion in his poems and blown the
trumpet of hope to eradicate the darkness of despair and despondency. But he does not belong to any specific
school of poets. He is better known as a humanitarian poet. He died on 22nd August, 2000.
DINESH DAS (1913 - 1985)
Dinesh Das's poetry brought the message of the new, fresh
and dynamic life. He has dealt with a vast spectrum of subjects viz. nature, love, country, patriotism, history, struggles,
famines, the weals and woes of man and even illustrious men like
Rabindranath, Gandhiji etc. He firmly believed that in the prevailing crisis of
today, only the creative artists have the magic wands in their
hands to salvage the society. We see glimpses of that magic in his exquisite poems.
SANKHA GHOSH
Sankha Ghosh is a giant of a name in modern Bengali poetry. In spite of being tremendously influenced by Rabindranath's philosophy and style, he
shows sparks of originality in style and content. Besides
composing poems, he has also written commendable treatises on poetry,
great men like Rabindranath, rhymes for children etc. His diction in poems is unique. Some of his notable
works of poems are - 'Babarer Prarthana', 'Panjore Darer Sabda', 'Murkha Baro Samajik Noy', 'Gandharva Kabita
Guchha', 'Din Guli Raat Guli' etc. His writings are a constant source of
inspiration to the readers.
SHAKTI CHATTOPADDHAY (1933
- 1995)
Shakti Chattopaddhay was one of those towering figures who spearheaded the poetic movement of the fifties. He was successful in
casting a spell on his readers through his poems with his unique rhythm, vocabulary, and pictorial imagery, A poet of his class is
a rarity in modern Bengali poetry. He was immensely popular for his bohemian nature and
ability to compose poems spontaneously. He has composed umpteen poems in his life. He used to say that he had not
become a poet due to some sudden inspiration or bent of nature. But he started
writing poem, on the face of a tremendous challenge. Some of his immortal
works of poems are - 'Hey Prem, Hey Naihshabda', 'Dharme Achi, Jirakeo Achi', 'Chaturdash
Kavitabali', 'Jete Pari Kintu Keno Jabo'.
In his poetic career, Shakti Chattopaddhay is said to have been immensely influenced by
Jeebanananda's poetic style and outlook. Some salient features of his poetry are keen consciousness of nature, a feeling of alienation
- a vacuum, deep realization of the ultimate truth i.e. death and a robust optimism
in life and beauty. He became a cult-figure in his lifetime.
He had profound love and sympathy for men which was the
source of his poetic genius.
PRANABENDU DASGUPTA
He was a famous poet in the fifties. The style and tone
of the 'Krittibaas' sect of poets was not quite found in his poetry.
While staying abroad, he was profoundly influenced by 'The
Sixties' - a magazine edited by Robert Fly. He was
particularly adept in writing symbolic poetry. Pranabendu stood against the lascivious,
hungry, covetous and materialist aspects of life. He introduced a calm, soothing and elegant form of poetry
and published a magazine on poems named 'Alinda'. Some of his notable
poetic works are - 'Ek Ritu', 'Sadar Streeter Veranda', 'Sudhu
Bichhinnata Noy' etc.
BINOY MAZUMDER
Binoy Mazumder was born on 17th September, 1934 in Burma. He started
composing poems at a mere age of thirteen. He was an engineer and had worked in several companies
at different times. But his proclivity was to blend poetry with mathematical researches. He had
also written some notable essays like 'Amar Chhanda'. At a
later stage, he fell victim to psychological disorder. This
talented bachelor-boy of Bengali literature had also
produced some unique books of translation viz. 'Ateeter Prithibi', 'Surja Grahan', 'Bayu
Mondol' etc.
However, he is primarily known to the elite Bengali readers as a
suave poet. His first book of poems was 'Nakshatrer Aloy'. Among his other notable
works of poems, 'Gayatri', 'Phire Esho Chaka', 'Anubhuti Mala' etc. deserve special mention.
JOY GOSWAMI
In the sphere of modern Bengali poetry, the name of Joy Goswami as a poet par
excellence deserves special mention. He is an ideal successor to all those illustrious poets who have glorified Bengali literature since
antiquity. Since his arrival in the domain of Bengali
poetry, Joy Goswami has always proved his mettle as an exceptional poet of a different genre,
with a unique taste and style which suited the modern times.
Joy started to compose poems at a tender age. He had an innate poetic sense and a pragmatic outlook. That was the beginning of an illustrious poetic career who was destined to deliver in a prolific manner to enrich the realm of Bengali poetry. His poetry assumed different colours and forms on its way of blossoming to its fullest glory.
After reading his poems, there is a feeling of ecstasy as the hackneyed,
familiar world of everyday,
manifests itself in a new glory and colour which was hitherto unknown to the reader. The resplendence of his poems is actually emitted from the core of an introspective poet who is honest and sincere. He has a sense of oneness with life and identifies himself with the
mystic aspects of creation. His poems reflect his high idealism and values which mark the occasion called
life.
This spirit and radiance which make his poems stand out from others, reflect the emotions, sentiments and all minute aspects of human life in an impeccable way. His poems reflect the
sentiments and emotions, ways and procedures, success and failure of mankind which is universal. Since the days of his first book of poems entitled
'Christmas O Sheeter Sonnet Guchha' to his latest work, his poems show a host of things which cross the limits of time and space and become truly universal. With his magic poetic
wand and fertile imagination, Joy Goswami renders the Midas touch to
the eternal themes of life and death,
joys and woes, love and languishment, etc. His abundant creative zeal is astonishing and his style, subtle jerks, diction etc. are simply inimitable.
Born on 10th November in Calcutta, Joy Goswami stayed in his childhood with his family in Ranaghat. His father was an honest and devoted party activist. His mother was the
head mistress of Lal Gopal School in Ranaghat. She passed away in 1984. The poet was always against conventional norms and practices. He abandoned formal studies when he was a student in the eleventh standard.
He started writing serious poetry from the mid-teens. His first poem was 'ceiling
fan'. When he was nineteen, his first poem was published in three little magazines simultaneously. They were
'Seemante Sahitya', 'Padakshep' and 'Hom Sikha'. In course of time, umpteen poems of Joy Goswami were published in several little magazines. In 1976, his poem was published in the
'Desh' magazine. This was highly acclaimed and he got established as a poet with a difference. Later, he joined this reputed magazine as a sectional editor.
Although his entire life was poetry, the refined poet has also written a few novels and short stories. His first novel was
'Manoramar Upanyas'. The language, tone and style of his
novel
were also different from the usual novels we have read so long. His novels
are essentially poetic. Some of his remarkable novels are
'Sei Sab Seyalera', 'Suranga O Pratiraksha', etc. Apart from these, he has written
several stories which are praiseworthy as well. En masse, Joy Goswami has composed twelve books of poems. In 1989, he received the
'Ananda Puraskar' for the outstanding book of poems 'Ghumiecho Jhaupata?'
In 1997, the poet was awarded the prestigious 'Bangla Academy Puraskar'
for the unique book 'Bajra Bidyut-bharti Khata'. He received the
'Sahitya Academy Puraskar' for 'Pagli Tomar Sange', an outstanding book of poems. This suave poet is very fond of listening to Indian classical music.
Poetic works of Joy Goswami
- Christmas O Sheeter Sonnet Guchha
- Pratnajeeb
- Aleya Hrad
- Unmader Pathakram
- Bhutum Bhagaban
- Ghumiecho Jhaupata?
- Aaj Jadi Amake Jigyesh Karo
- Golla
- Pagli, Tomar Sange
- Bajra Bidyut-bharti Khata
- Pakhi, Hoossh
- Oh, Swapno!
- Jara Bristite Bhijechilo (novel)
CONTEMPORARY PLAYS
After the 2nd World War, we have witnessed incredible progress of theoretical acting
and the growth of drama as a major art form. Some hold the opinion that the considerable improvement and
drastic changes in cinema, have diminished the scope of
theatres to a great extent. However, theatres or plays have accepted the challenge boldly and
today they survive with pomp and success along with cinema in
Bengal.
The terrible repercussion of the 2nd World War had paralysed
Bengal. Then, there was a dark period of terrible economic crisis leading to staggering unemployment among the
educated middle-class Bengalis. This crisis was worsened by
the partition of the country, terrorism, infiltration problem
etc. This murky picture was reflected in contemporary
theatre and literature.
'Nabanna' (1944) by Bijon Bhattacharya, 'Antaranga', 'Bastu Bhita', 'Mokabila' etc. by Digin
Bandopaddhay, 'Chhera Taar', 'Ulukhagra', 'Pathik' by Tulsi Lahiri, 'Natun Ghudi' by Salil Sen are some
spectacular plays which reflected the contemporary social problems. In more recent times,
we find brilliant playwrights like Dhananjoy Bairagi, Utpal Dutt etc.
However, theatrical literature, especially contemporary theatres have often portrayed excessive political views and have been
largely used for propaganda. These plays have magnified the social
problems and tensions at the cost of aesthetic quality and literary value. Again, there are some playwrights who
started penning an 'absurd' style of plays while imitating the contemporary French, German or American Theatrical
Movements. Imitating Brecht, some plays of Badal Sarkar have received mass popularity. Similarly, the plays of Dr. Dhirendra Nath Ganguly
which are based on contemporary society, have been widely appreciated.
Apart from these, several one-act plays have enriched Bengali Theatrical
literature to a great extent.
Some eminent playwrights and theatrical personalities are Ramen Lahiri, Sailesh Guha Niyogi, Sushil
Mukhopaddhay, Badal Sarkar, Manoj Mitra, Ratan Ghosh etc.
who have produced remarkable works on contemporary life and
society.
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