Bodh (poem) explained
"Bodh" (Bengali: বোধ, in Clinton B. Seely's English translation "Sensation"[1] and Fakrul Alam's "An Overwhelming Sensation"[2]) is a celebrated Bengali poem written by Jibanananda Das in 1930. It was first published in the literary magazine Pragati in 1336 of Bengali calendar. The poem was later included in Jibanananda Das' poetry book Dhushor Pandulipi (The Grey Manuscript) published in 1936. Clinton B. Seely wrote that in "Sensation", Jibanananda gives his readers an account of the burden he bore, the creative process conceived of as a presence, a constant companion, and not always a welcomed one:[1] Prof. Alam opined that the poem is "about a man overwhelmed by the poetic fit and, indeed, consumed by it."[3]
Into the half light and shadow go I. Within my headNot a dream, but some sensation works its will.Not a dream, not peace, not love,A sensation born in my very being.I cannot escape itFor it puts its hand in mine,And all else pales to insignificance—futile, so it seems.[4]
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: Seely Clinton B.. Clinton B. Seely. "By way of Introduction": The Scent of Sunlight, Poems of Jibanananda Das, translated by Clinton Seely . Parabaas.com . 2012-01-24.
- News: Barisal by the Bay . The Daily Star . 2010-06-12 . 2012-01-24.
- Book: Alam. Fakrul. Selected Poems of Jibanananda Das. 2010. The University Press Limited. Dhaka. 978 984 8815 15 1. 29. 2nd. English. People writing about their meetings with Jibanananda Das have described him as a man who often seemed to be in a trance. In a short story published in a 1933 at about the time this poem was published Das himself had written: "The desire to create artworks, the thirst for them ... this life-long curse of the artist has destroyed all possibilities of being a social success. Nevertheless, I have not tried to abandon the fate of the artist for the haven of the family; no artist can do so." This, it seems to the translator, is a poem about a man overwhelmed by the poetic fit and, indeed, consumed by it..
- Web site: "Sensation" translated by Clinton B. Seely. Parabaas.com.. 18 May 2012.
