Buddhadeve Bose’s Tapasvi o Tarangini : Aligning mythology with inner conflict of life/ বুদ্ধদেব বসুর ‘তপস্বী ও তরঙ্গিনী’ : পুরাণ প্রতিবিম্বে অন্তর্দ্বান্দ্বিক জীবনভাষ্য

Abstract

The great poet and playwrights Buddhadeva Bose (1908–1974), a prominent figure of the modern era, had a deep understanding of modern human life and psychology. Modern human life and psychology have become increasingly complex, requiring writers to adopt refined narrative techniques. Consequently, he successfully unraveled the intricate inner-conflicts of modern human of the post-World War era. Bose’s childhood memories and academic engagement with comparative literature nurtured his interest in mythology. Myths encompass vast narratives and timeless philosophical archetypes. To portray the internal psychological conflicts of his characters, Buddhadeva Bose, as a modern poet and playwright, drew inspiration from mythology, employing verse drama as his preferred literary form. His involvement in drama began in early adulthood, and he made significant contributions to this genre. Among Bose’s verse plays, Tapasvi O Tarangini (1966) stands out as a remarkable literary creation. Bose derived its central narrative from the Mahabharata, particularly the mythological story of the sage Rishyashringa, unfamiliar with female existence, and the courtesan Tarangini. Through a nuanced depiction of their psychological struggles, Bose reinvented mythology with a modern perspective. He not only adapted mythological events but also reshaped unstated narratives to align with the mythological essence, while designing non-mythological characters to reflect contemporary human nature. The application of mythological symbols in literature is not uncommon, yet Buddhadeva Bose’s interpretation is unique. In this play, he delves into the psychological aspects of male and female characters, transforming the courtesan Tarangini from a figure of mere carnal desire into an embodiment of romantic love. He illustrates the sage Rishyashringa’s moral downfall, self-discovery, and ultimate liberation. Through non-mythological characters, he presents profound insights into life and, most importantly, creates a new lens through which to read mythology. His skillful technique of aligning mythology with modern psychological discourse sets his mythological adaptation apart as a distinctive literary achievement.