নৌশিল্প : মধ্যযুগের বাংলা সাহিত্য ও বিদ্যাপতির কবিতায় তার ব্যঞ্জিত শিল্প তাৎপর্য/ Maritime art : Its implied artistic significance in medieval Bengali literature and poetry of Vidyapati

Abstract

Boat is a wonderful and an essential part of human culture. Centuries of dalliance of riverine Bangladesh is prominent in ship culture. It is important to note that all this maritime art has been centered round myth-centricism, uncertainty of voyage, judging good and evil and so many like these. According to Bramhabaibartapurana, the god of these shipbuilders is Lord Biswakarma. They are poor and belong to Rajbanshi community. Just before the start of ship-building they do their daily worship and then worship Lord Biswakarma, Devi Ganga, Lord Ganesh etc. Boat is of different types. Small boats ply through canals, rivers and big ones are used for sea voyages mainly for commercial purpose, crossing long distance, fishing, war etc. Boat finds expression in Ramayana, Mahabharata, Charyapada, Srikrishna kirtan, Mangalkavya, Baisnab literature etc. The stories of commercial voyage of Chandsadagar and Dhanapati respectively in Manasa mangal and Chandi mangal are well-known creation of medieval Bengali literature. The fleet of fourteen barges of Chandsadagar is an excellent myth. Boat frequently comes in Vidyapati's poetry. He beautifully portrays Krishna as oarsman, helping Radha to cross the river. Boat is promoted with great literary value in Vidyapati's poetry. Boat, cockleboat, barge, pinnace are treated with exquisite beauty in his poetry. Boat is important part of the life of Bengal in ancient, medieval and also in modern era.