কবি অজিত দত্তের কবিতায় সমুদ্র-মিথ/ Sea Myth In the work of Ajit Dutta

Abstract

‘Myth’ is like ‘Life’s Veda’. Within it lies primodial narrative- Ancient stories. From primitive myths arouse Greek mythology, and through that stream came our own ancient Puranic traditions. Interwoven within them are the existence of nation and living beings, the timeless heritage of history. Upon this blood-soaked age-old foundation stands the edifice of literature. Especially in modern Bengali poetry the context of mythological theme gives birth to a new genre. Myth breaks apart and is reshaped. Myth is dismantled and given a new form –that is called Deconstruction. In the twentieth century the techniques and materials that are visible in the writings of modern poets are not easily traceable in the poetry of Ajit Dutta. The poet conceals modernity in his own unique style and rhythm. In many of his poems, the presence of the sea recurs repeatedly and throughout this presence myth is spread. Across the long historical path of ancient times the vast expense of Ajit Dutta’s poetry, the tradition and imagery of sea –myths are deeply embedded. In his poems the sea appears through multiple suggestions –sometimes as alternative world view, sometimes through Puranic narratives. Myth in turn holds the sea within its core. Even the title of his poetry collection Patal Kanya (1938) bears mythical resonance. Besides this, works such as Kusumer Mas (1930), Nastachand (1945), Punarba (1946), Chayar Alpana (1951), Janala (1959), Sada Megh Kalo Pahar (1970) contains stories and mythologh of sea myth. In the poem Pasabati we see the image of of a peacock like woman boat drifting upon the sea, the prince dreaming of the princess. IN the poem PatalKannya the prince hears the words of the princess where kalnagini wrapped around a bed with her her frozen body. In the fairy tales of the under world, Mansamngal where we find the marchentile sufferingof Chand Sadagar in Sapta Dinga Madhukar. In the poem Bodhon the poet invokes Lord Krishna to bring humans out from the malady of the world. Again in the poem Rudralila we find the expresson of the dangerous hood of Basukinag. Inthis way we find the use of sea myth in the poems like Paradise Lost, Yudhistir, Parthana, etc. The reference of the sea myth in his poems gives way the path to a new horizon which expresses ancient tradition makes us aware of our root of life.