The Lonely Poet: A Humble Tribute—Kunal Roy

 

Kunal Roy is Assistant Professor, Department of English Language and Communication, Kolkata

Legends never die. They continue with their existence in the human heart. Sons of immortality in the accepted sense of term. Yes! Jibanananda Das, the soulful poet of the 20th century who actually made a paradigm shift from the conventional romantic ethos to a more complicated introspection of this human life, which was not isolated from the nature. The poet 's creation is sharply distinguished by an exhaustive use of imagery where dream, death, time and eternity are perfectly juxtaposed with one another! His voice of immense creativity still manages to mingle its own voice with the tune of avid readers.

   Jibanananda Das' poetic career flowered in the post Tagore era. Ignoring the traditional structures, he laid much emphasis on the fragmented world. This particular approach reminds us of Tagore 's " Where the Mind is without Fear", a translation of the original Bengali Poetry " চিত্ত যেথা ভয় শূন্য" from the anthology " নৈবেদ্য ". However, the most famous poem which still evokes a sense of mystery and criticism in each of his followers is " বনলতা সেন". Everytime when he was being asked about Banalata Sen, he stifled a faint smile and eschewed the question. The poetry incorrigibly speaks of the 'respite and solace' in a world which held no significance to him. Such a life resembled Banalata Sen who was actually a whore of Nator. Interestingly, the American Poet Edgar Allan Poe was inspired by his creation and moved to create a new poetry, where the inspiration was sowed in the natural elegance of his friend's mother who was combing her hair before the glass pane. 

   Moon occupies an important position in every poet's creation and Das was an exception in this regard. But it was not to personify the beauty of a maiden. His sense of elegance hinted at an " unattainable world". Besides , " জীবন পাখি" ( The Bird of Life) deals with the perennial conflict between life and death, emancipation and shackles . The land, the river, the forest adroitly create a dream like space where the innate and the outer worlds dissolve into oblivion! An attempt, a thought which redefine his work and an impetus to the modern poets! " In রূপসী বাংলা" ( Bengal , The Beautiful), the poet has talked at length on the inexorable elegance of Bengal. Every single comparison carries a definite symbolic trait, much to the analytical bent of mind! 

 Time, Change and Eternity have always played a pivotal role in his poems. His poem " আবার আসিব ফিরে" ( I shall return again) aims at the flawless blending of personal memory and collective memory. There are so many angles in his poetry like his bond with time which is paradoxical and his journey beyond the borders, an intense urge to transcend all the barriers of time and space!! People love to return to their loving people, loving places. The poet too loved to return. This showed his belief in life after death! Quite synonymous with the Tagorean thought as in " Khoka Babur Portaborton".

   Language, Style and Syntax are unique beyond any doubt. Complexity, Subtlety, Tranquility, Fluidity, Flux and Impermanence are discovered in each of his work! His narrative style attempted to weave all the broken fragments into a creative whole! 

  Ambiguity and Profundity are evident in his poems. Sound, Silence and Space take his poetry to a different height! The touch of metaphysical elements in his poetry reminds of Donne and Herbert. A figure in Bengali Poetry whose journey did not stop in singing the ethos of lateral romanticism. He was more into introspection and contemplation, making the readers learn and understand how to untie the knots of his deep love for poetry.