নতুন ভাবনার আলোকে শীতলামঙ্গল চর্চা/ A new Insight on traditional Sheetala Mangal stream

Abstract

In this paper we are trying to put a new insight on traditional ‘Shitala Mangal’ to understood its multidisciplinary possibility. although Ashutosh Bhattacharya (historian of Mangal Kavya) classified the Mangal Kavyas in two streams. we used to say this classification as- 1. ‘Pradhan Mangal kavya’ (Main stream Mangal kavyas) and 2. ‘Opradhan Mangal kavyas’ (Other Mangal kavyas).

          Dr. Bhattacharya put ‘Manasha Mangal’, ‘Chandi Mangal’, ‘Dharma Mangal’ in ‘Pradhan Mangal kavya’ stream, in terms of their popularity. and ‘Kalika Mangal’, ‘Raya Mangal’, ‘Goshani Mangal’, ‘Shosthi Mangal’ as ‘Oprodhan Mangal kavyas’ as this kind of Mangal kavyas are not very famous in his opinion. It’s also true fact that, many other research scholars didn’t show any interest on this kavys. As a result, this kavays gon through the darkness of oblivion for years. ‘Shitala Mangal’ is one of those ‘not so famous Mangal Kavys’ but very important to Bengals very own rural and cultural history.

           In this paper we gonna be discuss about different kind of ‘Shitala Mangal Kavays’ on their own different continent and different specialities. Krishna ram Das is the first poet of this stream. He wrote his ‘Kavays’ in late 17^th to Middle of 18^th century. Not only Krishna ram, but also Dwjo Haridev, Dwijo Nityanada Chakraborty, Dwjo Shombhusuta, Rameswar Ghosh, Rameswar Bhattacharya, Manik Ram Ganguly were Grate contributor of this stream.  

Krishna Ram Das Divided his ‘Shitala Mangal Kavya’ in three different chapter or narrative. Each chapter not only shows Devi Shital’s Greatness but also shown Socio-Political depression, economical or Quality of life at that time. In socio-political aspect, Krishna Ram Das done a great job, he documented seventeen century’s many river port and business process of this ports, he also documented the water route for transport. In seventeen century’s rural Bengal, Hindu- Muslim retaliation became very sensitive to control. Krishna ram also documented this very well. In his ‘Kazir Pala’ he wrote about the oppression of the local Muslim Ruler ‘Ekabar Kazi’.

          In this stream, Rameshwar Ghosh is one of another unknown poets. In his ‘kavya’ he also wrote about local Ruler. To get right information of this ruler or to know what happen that time in particular area, there are no other way than through this kind of ‘Kavyas’. Basically, Devi Shitala is Deity of Pox and pandemic. all of this ‘Sheetal Mangal’ have a very unique connection, in this ‘kavyas’, poets are sometime descriptively elaborate that long ago in mediaeval Bengal how the common people survive from pandemic or pox or fever or any kind of diseases. While describing the greatness of the goddess, actually they mentioned ways to get rid of diseases.

          Nityananda Chakraborty’s ‘kavya’ quite difference from other. Actually, his one of the main focus points on cast division, and Women exploitation in 18^th century.

          So not only literary aspect, ‘Shitala Mangal kavya’ have a huge possibility to play an important role as a primary source in multidisciplinary practice.