mms datta-isd-prez-v1.7

The First Modern Rebel Poet of Bangla Literature

By Fokhruz Zaman, a MMS Datta fan!

(2nd March, 2013, ISD Bangla Language Festival, Dhaka)

Michael Modhusudan Datta

(MMS Datta, 1824-73)

Quick Discussion Points

Why is Modhusudan still relevant?

Who is MMS Datta?

How did he became MMS Datta?

How can he still contribute to our Literature?

Where do we go from here?

Why is Modhusudan still relevant?

The first modern rebel Bangla Poet

Still the greatest verse-novel epic Writer in Bangla

Still the greatest Bangla Sonnet Writer

Liberated Bangla Poetry by introducing Blank-Verse

Liberated Bangla Drama, 2 greatest satires still modern!

Our “true” son of the soil from Sagardari, Jessore!

Who is MMS Datta?

Our “son of the soil”: born in 1824 (25 Jan), Sagardari, Jessore (only surviving child)

Father: Raj Narayan Datta; Mother: Janhobi Devi

A true genius and child prodigy! But pampered only child! Rebellious to all customs!

A Gifted Linguist and Polyglot

English, Bangla, Sanskrit and Tamil

Greek and Latin

Italian and French

Intense Infatuation with English / European Culture & Literature!

Luckily applied his Genius to the Bangla Literature later!

Who is MMS Datta?

Creative Life in 5 parts:

Calcutta (1833-48)

Madras (1848-56)

Calcutta (1856-62)

England & France (1862-67)

Calcutta (1867-73)

Converted to Christianity to escape early Marriage & to go to England!

Onset of creative surges: Wrote Poems, Dramas, Epics with great speed!

A Very Introvert Person, But loved to show-off!

MMS Datta Creations …

1. The Captive Ladie, 1849

2. Rizia, the Empress of Inde (unfinished play), Nov 1849-Jan 50

3. The Anglo-Saxon and the Hindus, 1854

4. Ratnavali, 1858

5. Sermista in both Bangla and English, Jan 1859

6. Ekei Ki Bole Sovyota (Is this called Civilization?), 1860

7. Buro Shaliker Ghare Rown in Bangla, 1860

MMS Datta Creations …

8. Padmavati in Bangla, 1860 (April-May)

9. Tilottoma Shomvob Kavya, 1860 (May)

10. Meghnad Bodh Kavya, Part-1 (Ballad of Meghnad), 1861, Jan

11. KrishnaKumari Natok, 1861

12. Brajangana, 1861 (July)

13. Meghnad Bodh Kavya, Part-2 (Ballad of Meghnad), 1861,

(July-Aug)

14. Virangona Kavya, 1862 (February)

MMS Datta Creations …

15. Choturdoshpodi Kobitaboli (Sonnets), 1866 (August)

16. Hector Bodh Kavya (from Homer…), 1871 (September)

17. MayaKanon Natok, posthumous, 1874 (March)

One of the Greatest Bangla Poet

MMS Datta Died on 29th June, 1873

How Did He Become MMS Datta?...

The Hindu College in the 1830s

was producing many Genius

Leaders…

Rebel Henry Luis Vivian Derozio

At Hindu College.. Initiated the

Young Bengals’ Movement…

How Did He Become MMS Datta?...

How Did He Become MMS Datta?...

David Lester Richardson, Poet’s

Mentor and Guru…

How Did He Become MMS Datta?...

David Lester Richardson’s

Anthology Influenced young Modhu

How Did He Become MMS Datta?...

Gour Das Basak, Poet’s Lifelong

Friend and Critic

How Did He Become MMS Datta?...

Raj Narayan Bosu, Poet’s Friend

and Critic

How Did He Become MMS Datta?...

Learnt Greek, Latin & Classical

Literature in Bishops’ College

How Did He Become MMS Datta?...

Henrietta, his life-partner in the

final years after Rebecca…

How Did He Become MMS Datta?...

Raja Pratap Chandra Singha

Patronizer of the Great Poet

Raja Ishwar Chandra Singha

Patronizer of the Great Poet

How Did He Become MMS Datta?...

How Did He Become MMS Datta?...

The Great Ishwar Chandra Vidya

Sagar Patronizer of the Great Poet

How can He still contribute to our

Literature…?

Adopting his modern rebel style to innovate Bangla

Rigorous R&D into both his finished and unfinished works

Adopting the Linguistic and Polyglot Style…

Derivative works in both his English and Bangla creations

Enrich the Bangla Sonnets more with his style!

Discovering many hidden jewels from all his creations!

How can He still contribute to our

Literature…?

Oh! who can look upon the plain, Where sleep the glorious - mighty slain, Brave Hearts that for their country bled, And read upon their eyes, tho' seal'd, The proud defiance there revealed, Lit by each spirit ere it fled - Or, mark the fierce disdain that lies, Upon their lips and and yet defies,- Unquench'd by Death, like the last ray, Of the set sun, still lingering there, As if too loth to pass away, But scorch and blast with lightning glare,- Nor feel his blood within his vein, Rage like the tempest-stirred main, As if to burst - to gush - to flow - And sweep away Fair Freedom's foe, Nor madly long to wield the brand, To save - defend - his Native Land...

How can He still contribute to our

Literature…?

”

How can He still contribute to our

Literature…?

How can He still contribute to our

Literature…?

Where do we go from here?

Why don’t we create MMS Datta Study Circles / Workshops?

Why don’t we build a rich Library at Sagardari, Jessore?

Why don’t we annotate / re-write his epics using modern

Bangla?

Why don’t arrange MMS Datta Literary Festival in schools?

Why don’t we spread his words and literature around the

world?

Why don’t we plan to arrange a grand 200-years Celebration

of MMS Datta in Bangladesh & across the World in the 2024?

Acknowledgements:

Modhusudan Collections, 1965 by Dr. Khetro Gupta

Lured by Hope, 1995 – by Ghulam Murshid

Michael for All, 2009 – by Ghulam Murshid

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Madhusudan_Dut

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http://open-poems.blogspot.com