বনলতা সেন : প্রচ্ছদের নানা প্রকরণ / Book cover of Banalata Sen: Different approaches

Abstract

In the history of Bengali poetry, 'Banalata Sen' has earned the status of an eternal poem. Published in 1935 in 'Kobita' magazine, edited by Buddhadeb Basu, this poem continues to be read and discussed even after 90 years. Scholars, teachers, and thinkers are engaged in unraveling its meaning. However, beyond this conventional approach, 'Banalata Sen' remains a source of wonder and enchantment for non-academic poetry enthusiasts as well. Perhaps, this is why the poem will continue to endure in the galaxy of Bengali language. For the present writer, 'Banalata Sen' is as enigmatic as its cover design and the language it embodies. The artistic expression of Banalata Sen on the cover flows parallel to the poem. Yet, there is a lack of detailed discussion on the cover, which is unusual. If the cover is treated as a 'text' to read and understand the poem, it offers an alternative interpretation. The cover artist's 'reading' is embedded in it. Shambhu Saha, apart from Satyajit Ray's cover, many artists have illustrated Banalata Sen, though not as a cover art. These illustrations also reflect the artist's unique observation blended with Jibanananda's experience. The present researcher aims to explore the enigmatic hints in the cover design in this article.