Jibanananda Das: A man who redefined perceptions
Treasuring the beauty of rural Bangla in his words, Jibanananda Das, known better as 'Ruposhi Banglar Kobi', has reconceived it all in his poems, novels and essays. Today marks the 66th death anniversary of the wordsmith.
Born in Barishal located on the banks of Kirtankhola River, the poet decided to walk in his mother Kusumakumari Das's footsteps. Addressed by his nickname Milu at home, his first poem "Borsho Abahon" was published anonymously at the Boishakh issue of the Brahmobadi Journal in 1919.
Taking a closer look at the tinkering glass, Das decided to leave home and pursue academics at Presidency College, Kolkata. He graduated with a BA (Honours) degree in English Literature in 1919.
Regarded as one of the greatest Bengali poets, Das has authored over 1800 poems, 262 of which were published in books and various journals. His most cherished poetry collections are "Banalata Sen" (1942), "Jhora Palok" (1927), "Dhushor Pandulipi" (1936), and "Mohaprithibi" (1944), among numerous others.
Despite his greatness, the writer has had to struggle with poverty and failure constantly. After completing his Masters, he started teaching at the English department of City College, Kolkata in 1922.
With subsequent professional disappointment and poverty being his peers, Das decided to return to his roots in Barishal and started teaching English literature at the Brajamohan College. A while later, his poem "Mrittur Agay" was published in the poetry magazine "Kobita", an initiative by poetic legends Buddhadeb Bose, Premendra Mitra and Samar Sen.
Soon, Buddhadeb Bose received a letter from Rabindranath Tagore saying, "Jibanananda Das' vivid, colourful poem has given me great pleasure."
The following edition of Kobita featured one of Das' most cherished poems, "Banalata Sen". Referred to as 'the lone poet' by Buddhadeb Bose and described as 'pure' by Annada Shankar Ray, his Banalata Sen has always been an elocutionist's favourite.
Das slowly rose to fame as one of the most powerful poets in the post-Tagore era. With beautiful glimpses of Bengali culture glistening in his verses, his contribution to Bangla Literature remains unparalleled.
Besides his obviously pristine poetry, his novels and short stories also earned him praise. His novel "Molloban" (1973) is found as a collection on every Bangla literature lover's bookshelf. His much-acclaimed essay collection "Kobitaar Kotha" was published posthumously in the Bengali year 1362.
Jibanananda Das suffered from a tragic road accident on October 14, 1954 near Calcutta's Deshapriya Park. After battling between life and death for 8 days, the writer breathed his last on October 22 at the age of 55.
It was only after the writer bid farewell to the world was his exquisite poetry collection "Rupasi Bangla" found and published in 1957, posthumously. The writer today lives on the shoulders of his work. In his words, "Hazar Bochor Dhore Ami Poth Haaththechi Prithibir Pothe…"
Translated by Ashley Shoptorshi Samaddar
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