|
THE
ORIGIN AND GROWTH OF LYRIC POETRY
Bengali poetic literature, by now reasonably matured, gingerly stepped into the phase of musical poems or lyric poetry. It was born from the intensely personal feeling or emotion of the poet. So, ballads are inextricably interlinked with the lives of
poets. The personal emotions, thinkings and colourful
imaginations of the poets were as if personified through
this musical catharsis. Such was the charm of lyric poetry. From the second half of the nineteenth century, exquisite lyric poetry began to
blossom in Bengal. This can be said to have been started from 1862.
BIHARI
CHAKRABORTY (1835-1898)
Biharilal Chakraborty was the first conscious poet of modern lyric poetry. He was immensely infatuated to
lyricism in poetry at a time when epic poetry was ruling the roost. He was the chief witness and
a renowned exponent of the remarkable transition of Bengali
poetic literature from its epic grandeur to lyrical
simplicity.
The notable poesy of Biharilal which were published, are as follows :
'Sangeet Satak' (1862), 'Banga Sundari' (1870), 'Nisarga Sandarshana' (1870), 'Bandhu Biyog' (1870), 'Prem-Prabahini' (1871), 'Sarada Mangal' (1879), 'Sadher Ashana' and
'Baul Bingshati'.
SURENDRANATH
MAZUMDER (1838-1878)
The early phase of poet Surendranath's career reveals the narrative
style of writing. 'Sabita Sudarshana' (1870), 'Phullora' (1870)
etc. are ideal examples.
AKSHAY KUMAR
BARAL (1860-1919)
The fundamental elements of Akshay Kumar's poems are nature, beauty and love. 'Pradeep'
(1874), 'Kanakanjali' (1875), 'Bhool' (1887) are 3 lyric poems which are based on love as their theme. In his poems,
he has dealt with love which is divine and platonic and not
sensuous or carnalistic.
DEBENDRA NATH SEN (1858-1920)
Debendra Nath Sen, a friend and contemporary of Rabindranath
was an eminent figure in the history of Bengali Literature. His 'Nibarini' (1881), 'Ashoke Guchha' (1900), 'Apoorva Naivedya'
(1912), attracted the readers even in the glorious days of Rabindranath. His salient feature is
an ebullient outlook on life and the world at large.
GOBINDA CHANDRA
DAS (1855-1918)
Gobinda Chandra had idolized the feminine charm and sensuousness in his poems in a highly impulsive tone. This
sensuousness and physical aspect of his poetry was not accepted by the refined
and educated readers of the day. But that does not demean him as a poet of great potential. His
remarkable books are 'Prem-O-Phool' (1888), 'Kusum' (1892), 'Kasturi' (1895), 'Phool Renu'
(1896). Besides, his poetic finesse is nicely manifested in the four volumes of 'Geeti-Kavita'
(lyric poetry).
|
