স্মৃতি ও সত্তার সংরাগে মঙ্গলকাব্য : ‘রূপসী বাংলা’-র কবিতায় লোকজ পুরাণের নবভাষ্য/ Mangal-Kavya in the Harmony of Memory and Identity: A New Interpretation of Folk Myth in the Poetry of Rupasi Bangla

Abstract

Jibanananda Das's posthumously published masterpiece, 'Ruposhi Bangla' (1957), is not merely a collection of nature poems but a profound fusion of Bengal's landscape and its thousand-year-old folklore. In this work, the poet utilizes the myths of medieval Mangal kavya to rediscover the roots and identity of the Bengali people. Through characters like Chand Sadagar and Behula, he portrays Bengal’s eternal beauty and resilience, transforming ancient legends into living symbols of the land's spirit. Amidst the harshness of modern urbanization, Das seeks refuge in the magical world of Mukundaram and Bijay Gupta, crafting an immortal image of Bengal. For him, death is not a terror but a natural cycle—a quiet desire to merge with the scent of the 'Gangur' river and the familiar fields of home. By weaving together history, memory, and nature, 'Ruposhi Bangla' stands as an imperishable testament to the deep-seated emotions and cultural heritage of Bengal.