Michael Madhusudan Dutta is referred to as the father of Bengali sonnet and a pioneer of Bengali literature. Born in 1824 in Sagardari, in Jessore district (in present day Bangladesh), his father was Rajnarayan Dutta a lawyer and mother was Jahnabi Devi. He was born as Madhusudan Dutta. He added Michael to his name when he was converted to Christianity.
Early life of Madhusudan Dutta
Madhusudan Dutta did his elementary schooling from Khidirpur School, and thereafter took admission in Hindu College in 1943. He studied Sanskrit, Persian and Bengali in addition to other subjects. While in college he was awarded a number of scholarships, and a gold medal for writing an essay on women's education. It was in this Hindu College that he impressed everyone with a self composed poetry.
Young Madhusudan Dutta was so impressed with European lifestyle and culture that he converted to Christianity in 1843. After becoming a Christian he had to leave Hindu College as Christians were not allowed to study there. Between 1844 and 1847 he studied in Bishop's College and mastered the languages of Latin and Greek.
Michael Madhusudan Dutta in Madras
Michael Madhusudan Dutta went to Madras in 1848 and took up the job of a teacher in Madras Male Orphan Asylum School. Later from 1852 to 1856 he taught in Madras University High School. He was also the editor of General Chronicle, Madras Circulator, Eurasian, and Hindu Chronicle. In Madras, Michael Madhusudan Dutta married Rebecca Mactavys Thompson. However, his marriage did not last and he returned to Calcutta in 1856 after his father's death.
Literary works of Michael Madhusudan Dutta
Michael Madhusudan Dutta was a pioneer of Bengali literature, and father of Bengali sonnet and blank verse. He was a master playwright
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and a path breaking poet. The works of this great poet and dramatist include:
- Sharmistha – Written in western style, Sharmistha was the first original Bengali play. This play written in 1858 was based on the story of Yayati, Devyani and her mate Sharmistha.
- Padmavati – This play composed in blank verses was a successful attempt by Michael Madhusudan Dutta. This drama based on Greek mythology was composed in1860.
- Tilottama - Sambhava – This was the first Bengali poem composed entirely in blank verse. This 1860 composition was based on a Puranic story of a war between the demons Upasunda and Sunda with the Gods.
- Meghnad Badh Kavya – Perhaps the greatest of all his literary works, this masterpiece was once again written in blank verse. This 1861 epic was inspired by Milton's Paradise Lost and depicted the heroism of Ravana's son Meghnad.
The other compositions of Michael Madhusudan Dutta include Krishna-Kumari, Virangana, and Brajangana-Kavya. Except for Brajangana Kavya which was written in verse form, the other two compositions were in blank verse. All these works were written between 1861 and 62.
Michael Madhusudan Dutta after 1862
In June 1862 Michael Madhusudan Dutta left for England to study law. He thereafter moved to Versailles in France and stayed there till 1865, and returned to England thereon. He became a Barrister from England in 1866 and returned to Calcutta in 1867. He was not successful as a lawyer and took up a job of a translator at Calcutta High Court. In Calcutta, Michael Madhusudan Dutta married Henrietta White, a French woman.
His erratic habits and wayward spending led to poverty and illness. His last two works were 'Hectorbadh' based on Homer's Iliad written in 1871, and 'Mayakanan' composed in 1873. He eventually succumbed to illness and expired in Calcutta General Hospital in 1873 on June 29th.
Michael Madhusudan Dutta will be remembered as the pioneer of Bengali literature.
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