Modernism in Bengali literature (original) (raw)

Abstract

Just as ‘modernity’, ‘modernism’ too has variegated histories. Years back—to be precise in 1961—Carl E. Schorske had zeroed in on Vienna to chart out a general chronicle for the European trend of modernism (1981). He claimed, if modernism were to be understood as an intellectual movement with its sights set on cherished nineteenth-century binaries, such as, rationalism and romanticism, individualism and socialism, realism and naturalism, then various twentieth century ‘Viennese Schools’ supplied ample ammunition to batter them all. Schorske’s belief was that the gesture of ‘shaking off the shackles of history’ which most broadly characterized European modernism could be most effectively foregrounded if one hazarded to give a symptomatic reading to the ‘new culture-makers in the city of Freud’. Needless to say, such an approach for Bengal would prove to be disastrous. Nonetheless, it is worth recording that whatever one may ascribe to the expression ‘Bengali modernism’, it mostly spr...

Key takeaways

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1. Bengali modernism emerged primarily from Kolkata, heavily influenced by Rabindranath Tagore's literary legacy.
2. The Kallol Movement, initiated in 1923, marked a significant shift in Bengali literature's modernist trajectory.
3. Modernists adopted strategies to critique Tagore, focusing on realism, poverty, and sexuality in their works.
4. Key figures of Bengali modernism include Manik Bandyopadhyay, Bibhutibhusan Bandyopadhyay, and Jibanananda Das.
5. The text examines the evolution of Bengali modernism and its divergence from Tagore's influence.

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References (8)

1. Jibanananda Das' third collection of poems Banalata Sen 1945 Satinath Bhaduri's novel Jagori Further Reading
2. Achintyakumar Sengupta, Kallol Yuga, Achintyakumar Rachanabali (Volume 11), Kolkata: Granthalaya, 1989, pp. 1-196
3. Buddhadev Bose, 'Rabindranath O Uttarsadhak', Sahityacharcha, Kolkata: Dey's Publishing, 1981, pp. 116-130
4. Buddhadev Bose, An Acre of Green Grass, Kolkata: Papyrus, 1997, pp. 1-116
5. Sudhindranath Dutta, 'Preface to Sambarta', Sudhindranath Dutter Kabyasamgraha, Kolkata: Dey's Publishing, 1976, pp. 171-173
6. Sukumar Sen, 'Chapters 10 & 11', Bangala Sahityer Itihas (Volume 4), Kolkata: Eastern Publishers, 1976. pp. 256-315
7. Carl E. Schorske, Fin-de-Siēcle Vienna: Politics and Culture, New York: Vintage Books, 1981 February 10, 2014
8. Published in The Routledge Encyclopedia of Modernism: Taylor and Francis, 2016

FAQs

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What cultural shifts did Bengali modernism bring to literature and society?add

Bengali modernism, emerging primarily from Kolkata in the 1920s, emphasized realism and challenged Rabindranath Tagore’s influence. This resulted in a notable focus on themes of poverty and sexuality, reflecting broader societal shifts.

How did Kallol Movement redefine literary boundaries in Bengal?add

The Kallol Movement, initiated in 1923, represented a shift towards modernist poetry through a series of influential journals. Key figures, like Dineshranjan Das, played pivotal roles in creating a dramatic departure from traditional Bengali literary forms.

What role did Western literary influences play in Bengali modernism?add

Modernists sought to counter Tagore’s legacy by incorporating Western literary models from poets like T.S. Eliot and W.B. Yeats, which influenced their stylistic choices. This cross-pollination enriched Bengali poetry, introducing new themes and structures.

How did the perspective on Tagore change among modernist writers in the 1920s?add

Initially, modernist writers critiqued Tagore for his perceived blindness to societal issues; however, as he adopted modernist elements in his own writings, their rebellion lost momentum. Rabindranath’s novel Sesher Kabita highlighted this contradictory relationship.

Which modernist writers emerged as significant figures post-Tagore?add

Notable post-Tagore writers include Sudhindranath Dutta and Manik Bandyopadhyay, who transitioned into genuine modernist styles. By the forties, the blend of Marxist thought with realism reshaped their narrative techniques and thematic focus.