The combination of contemporary social reality and religion and culture in Krishnaram Das' Mangalkavya/ কৃষ্ণরাম দাসের মঙ্গলকাব্যে সমকালীন সমাজ-বাস্তবতা ও ধর্ম-সংস্কৃতির সমন্বয়

Abstract

The primary history of Mangal Kavya dates back nearly five hundred years. Following the Turkish invasions, a new literary tradition known as Mangal Kavya emerged in Bengali literature, centered around mythological and folk deities. This literary genre synthesized religious elements from Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism, Islam, and Vaishnavism. Although the early Mangal Kavya of the medieval period predominantly featured supernatural themes, they also reflected contemporary social structures and hinted at the integration of religious cultures within socio-economic, political, historical, and religious contexts. During the Mughal rule in the medieval period, gradual transformations took place in the social system. These changes over time influenced the style and composition of Mangal Kavya. Alongside supernatural themes, the depiction of folk life became particularly prominent in the Mangal Kavya composed during the later medieval period.

          Poet Krishnaram Das, active in the latter half of the 17th century, was the first to compose five separate Mangal Kavya dedicated to five different deities. His works reflect both the traditional structure of Mangal Kavya and the introduction of new stylistic elements. During the reign of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, he composed five Mangal Kavya: Kalika Mangal, Ray Mangal, Shashti Mangal, Shitala Mangal, and Kamala Mangal. Krishnaram Das’s writings exhibit not only devotional sentiments but also a strong pragmatic outlook. Alongside devotion, his works vividly portray contemporary social realities, folk traditions, and the synthesis of religious cultures. His literary style prominently features Vaishnavism, while also reflecting the long-standing coexistence of Hindus and Muslims. This cohabitation led to a unique socio-religious and cultural integration, which finds expression in his poetry. In this article, I have attempted to provide a comprehensive discussion on these aspects of his work.