পদাবলী সাহিত্যে শিশু মনস্তত্ত্বের পরিচয়/ PODABALI SAHITYE SISUMANASTATWAR PORICHOI

Abstract

One of the distinguished branches of medieval literary tradition is Padabali literature. In this branch of literature, along with the depiction of the love-play of Radha and Krishna, the poets have also beautifully portrayed the aspect of child Krishna’s parental affection (vatsalya). Particularly, when the poems of the vatsalya phase are analyzed, the simple, innocent, and spontaneous aspects of child psychology become evident. A comprehensive picture emerges here of how children’s behaviour, their mental and intellectual development, diverse emotions and feelings, and the growth of language take place. A child, within six to nine months after birth, becomes capable of gaining control over his body, learns to sit, and tries to grasp whatever comes within reach and put it into the mouth. Moreover, an important characteristic of children’s behaviour in early childhood is “grouping.” The child’s mind always expresses a desire to play collectively with peers of the same age. Children generally do not wish to remain calm or still; they are essentially worshippers of restlessness. Curiosity and liveliness constantly prevail in their minds. Even when a mother remains absent for a long time and hunger reaches an extreme level, anger arises in the child’s mind. As a result, children vent their anger on whatever they find in front of them—such aspects have been reflected in the poems of Balaram Das, Uddhav Das, and Jadabendra Das.

Curiosity in a child’s mind arises most prominently in two situations: first, on the playground, and second, during mealtime. Such behaviour is also observed in child Krishna (Balgopal). When Yashoda tries to feed Krishna milk or butter, eating becomes only a pretext; joy becomes the primary thing in the child’s mind. And from this joy arises curiosity. Therefore, along with eating, through dance and clapping, he wins over his mother’s heart—this picture has been beautifully portrayed by Balaram Das in one of his poems. When excessive joy arises in a child’s mind, emotions are generated. In childhood, the child’s mind always seeks freedom from being confined within the house. Riding on the wings of desire, they easily become absorbed in the accumulation of joy. The Shakta poets have worshipped Uma mainly in two forms: on one hand as Uma, the daughter of Menaka and Giriraj, and on the other hand as Shyama. The poems of the childhood-play phase have been composed centering around this Uma. While portraying the childhood games and activities of Uma, Shakta poets like Ramprasad Sen, Radhika prasanna, Kalimirza and others have tried to present the atmosphere of child psychology clearly before the readers, which can be considered an innovative addition to Shakta Padabali literature. It can be said that in the poems of the childhood-play phase of Shakta Padabali as well, various poets have created an intimate understanding of child psychology centering on Uma’s growth in childhood. Here, the various mischievous acts and restlessness of little Uma have repeatedly attracted the minds of readers. Uma has not remained merely the daughter of Giriraj and Menaka; within her behaviour, readers have discovered the reflection of their own children.