subject: Critical Evaluation of Toru Dutt as a Poetess (A Research Paper, Submitted by DR. RAKESH 'RAVI') [print this page] Critical Evaluation of Toru Dutt as a Poetess (A Research Paper, Submitted by DR. RAKESH 'RAVI')
Critical Evaluation of Toru Dutt as a Poetess
IntroductionToru Dutt is one of the most popular authors in the history of Indo-Anglian poetry. Her contribution to literature is so great that her name is known beyond the limits of this country. Unfortunately she died young and her early death was a great loss to Indo-Anglian poetry. Her life was soaked in tears and sorrows. Her only brother Abju was the first to breathe his last in 1865 at the young age of 14. At the early age of twenty, her only sister Aru passed away and her death broke Toru's heart. On August 30, 1877, Toru died in Calcutta. Her contribution to Indo-Anglian poetry can never be forgotten. Her early death was a great loss to Indo-Anglian poetry. Toru's works include: essays, translations, novels, poems and letters. Toru contributed a number of essays which were printed in December 1874, in The Bengal Magazine. Two speeches delivered in the French Legislative Assembly in June and July 1875, were translated in prose by Toru Dutt and printed in book form with the title: A Scene from Contemporary History. Toru published A Sheaf Gleaned in French Fields in March 1876. It has English translation of 165 poems which were composed in French. Bianca was published in The Bengal Magazine between January and April 1878 as a serial, but the novel remained unfinished. Le Journal de Mademoiselle d' Arvers is a popular novel by Toru. Its end is very impressive. Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan is an immortal work by Toru. It was published in 1882 after her death. Nine poems based on Indian myths and legends make it interesting. There are seven other poems also in this volume. The Life and Letters of Toru Dutt consists of Toru's letters. It was published in 1921.
Her Contribution to Indo-Anglian PoetryToru's contribution is known for quality rather than quantity. Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan is a landmark in the history of Indo-Anglian poetry. It was published in 1882 after her death. It consists of nine ballads or legends based on Indian myths along with some other poems also. The most popular poem of the volume is Savitri. It presents the immortal legend of Satyavan's death and his wife Savitri's success in getting back his soul from Yama, the god of Death. Lakshman is the other popular poem that brings to light different aspects of great personality of Lakshman deputed by Rama for the safety of Sita. Jogadhya Uma is an original legend the daughter of the priest at the temple of Khirogram. She is in fact the goddess incarnate. The legend of Bharata is introduced in The Royal Ascetic and the Hind. It shows the sacrifice of Bharat ruling on behalf of Rama worshipping Rama's slippers. Among other legends Dhruva, Prahlad, and Sita are notable. The famous legend of Eklavya is given in Buttoo. The legend of obedient Shravan Kumar is given in Sindhu. Among other poems of the volume, the most popular are The Lotus and Our Casuarina Tree, an autobiographical poem.
Her Narrative SkillToru Dutt's narrative skill is exposed in Savitri. The story of Savitri is borrowed from the Mahabharata. Savitri is the princess of Madra. She is the only child of her parents. Savitri is wife of Satyavan. He is a royal prince who is forced to live like a hermit. His father Dyoumatsen has been the king of Salva. It is predicted that Satyavan has a very short span of life to live. Savitri, as an ideal wife, keeps fasting wishing for her husband's long life. When Satyavan dies, she requests Yama to return Satyavan's soul to her. Savitri impresses Yama with her arguments and devotion to Satyavan even after his death. Yama grants her three wishes and restores her husband back to life. Toru Dutt's Savitri is a narrative poem in five parts. Its 996 lines are divided into 83 stanzas. Each stanza consists of twelve lines each. Part I deals with introduction of Savitri and Satyavan. It tells how she chooses him for her husband. Narad objects saying Satyavan would die soon. She insists on marrying him and ultimately her father consents to the marriage. This part consists of 264 lines. These lines are divided into 22 stanzas. Part II consists of 23 stanzas and covers 276 lines. It presents how Savitri is married to Satyavan. But after one year Satyavan meets his death at night in a forest. Savitri is present with him and attempts at saving his life. Part III is short enough to consist of only 36 lines divided into 3 stanzas. It introduces the court of Death. It is ruled by Yama. Yama goes to take Satyavan's life. Part IV consists of 276 lines divided into 23 stanzas. It deals with Yama's departure with Satyavan's soul and his following by Savitri who succeeds in taking three boons: her father in law's restoration of eye sight and lost kingdom, one hundred children to her father and survival of Satyavan with boon of one hundred children to them. Part V concludes the poem. It has 144 lines divided into 12 stanzas.
Simple Interpretation of Deep Indian PhilosophyToru presents a simple interpretation of deep Indian philosophy. When Yama tried to tell Savitri meaninglessness of human body and human world, she told that she herself knew well that the human world is only an illusion. There is nothing permanent in it. It is like vain mist that disappears in a moment. Her wish to get her husband back was not guided by worldly pleasures. She claimed worldly pleasures are no better than vain bubbles. All the ties of human emotion have to be broken one day or the other. It is true that death is the only truth of life. Making all senses dull, death concludes human life. Savitri pointed out that the human world is full of unfulfilled desires. Such desires never lead to attainment of perfect joy. She admitted sufferings test man's firm faith in Him, just as gold is tried by fire. Therefore, sufferings are the fruits of man's own action and thought. Everyone has to pay for his sins. She did not claim that rites or prayers would save Satyavan's life. She knew that human efforts have no power to change His judgement. Man has to surrender his will to His eternal justice. Everybody is rewarded or punished by him on the basis of man's actions. If a man is willing to be his friend, he ought to do right action. On the contrary, if a man does evil he commits sin, and becomes his own enemy. By giving undue importance to physical pleasures a man becomes his own enemy. If a man is wise he should know the value of virtue and give up worldly things. It is the deep sense of duty that is the only true friend and enables man make great progress. Thus, Savitri's impressed Yama by discussing deep philosophy in such a simple way.
Her Sensuous ArtToru Dutt's sensuous art is remarkable. Her lively word pictures of sensuous nature decorate the description of Savitri. Savitri, the only child of Ashwapati was so beautiful and all felt attracted to her but none looked at her with foul thoughts. There were brave hard hearted soldiers who used to smile on seeing her. But it was as natural as mountains smile to see the spring. Their smile was joyful. She looked fresh like a lotus in moon light when the season is extremely hot. She looked happy and walked lightly. Even strangers used to turn back to look at her lovely face and wished for all joys for her.
Chance strangers, having met her, past,
And often would they turn the head
A lingering second look to cast;
And bless the vision ere it fled.
Toru accounts for Savitri's peculiar charm. Savitri was not known for her black eyes or dark black her, the curving neck or well shaped arms for such beauties are not rare among beautiful girls.
The soft black eyes, the raven hair,
The curving neck, the rounded arm
It was Savitri's individual charm that she was pure, pretty and innocent like a child. Her rising youthfulness was not stained with lustful desires. No foul man could ever observe her beauty, for she was blessed with a divine simplicity, purity and a reflection of divine grace.
Her charm was this upon her face
Childlike and innocent and fair
Her Regard for Ancient Indian CultureToru had a great regard for Indian culture that provided full liberty even to girls. The poem brings to light the culture of ancient India. In those days, people were not evil-minded. There was nothing like the purdah or other restrictions on Indian girls. Savitri freely visited places of her choice, and passed hours together with her friends. In all matters whether small or great, she enjoyed herself in full liberty for her father never feared for her. He expressed his full faith in her snow like purity. He was blessed with this daughter after a long series of fasting and severe prayer. He was gifted with Savitri by Lord Shiva. The King believed Lord Shiva would guard her. Therefore, none could spoil her. It was a great pleasure for Savitri that her father had given all that she could wish. It was a happy time for Savitri. She had no worries to trouble her mind and no sorrows to spoil her joyful youth. Her father was worried to find out a proper match for his lovely daughter. With his wife he used to reflect on the problem Savitri's marriage. She believed in God and hoped that Savitri herself would be able to choose her husband.
Her Faith in True LoveToru has firm faith in true love that is well exposed and stressed in the story of Savitri. One summer morning Savitri saw some young men at play in a field. They were sons of hermits and one of them attracted her with his royal manners. He looked happy. Savitri fell in love with him. Heaving a heavy sigh of love, she looked at his face having lost her peace of mind.
So frank and noble, that the eye
Was loth to quit that sun-browned face;
She looked and looked, then gave a sigh
And slackened suddenly her pace.
One of the hermit youths attracted Savitri with his royal manners. He looked happy. Savitri fell in love with him. Heaving a heavy sigh of love, she looked at his face having lost her peace of mind. Certainly, it was love. Poets call it love at first sight. In spite of looking strange it is a reality. Suddenly the heart discovers the life partner. Being busy in worldly affairs we fail in recognizing its progress. Just as the breaking of branch does not make a noise, heart is lost without being known to anybody. Love either blesses or curses life. Their first meeting brought about the union of their sight. Savitri enquired about him from a friendly saint. Love had knocked at her heart and opened the rose of her heart.
Her heart-rose opened had at last
Opened no flower can ever shut.
The boy's name was Satyavan. He was Dyoumatsen's son. His manners were regal for his father had been king of Salva. Unfortunately, in old age Dyoumatsen became blind. He could not defeat his enemies and got his kingdom lost. At present, as a hermit, Dyoumatsen lived with his wife and son in the forest. He was the most gentle of all hermits. The tragic story of Satyavan's misfortune made Savitri weep. She recognized Satyavan's great qualities. There appeared many changes in the colour of Savitri's face. When she heard evening bells in the temple, she returned home. Her virgin heart was left behind thinking over her lover's misfortune. She felt true love is a divine inspiration. Under its influence, all objects looked brighter to her. There was a bright rainbow making all huts and fields bright and beautiful. It was true love for which Savitri did not care even for Narad Muni's prediction of Satyavan's early death and gave up her royal comforts to marry with this hermit youth.
Representative of Indian ConscienceToru becomes representative of Indian conscience when Savitri takes a strong stand against all and insists on marrying Satyavan. Narad had spoken that Satyavan would survive only a year according to the nativity. His prediction could never be wrong. Her father warned her against the curses of a widow's life. Her whole life would be devoted to religious songs, prayers, fasts, and hardships of utter poverty. It would be wise of her to make another choice for it was a sin to make life hopeless in this manner. There was no effect of her father's warning. She was not willing to make another choice. Savitri remained standing like a statue in her firmness. She replied harshly that none can escape his fate. It is inevitable. If it were her destiny to be a widow, none could ever change it. She claimed that a girl ought to choose her husband but only once and her father ought to give away his daughter to her husband in presence of holy fire. She did not accept her father's argument that Savitri should not think of marrying Satyavan for she had not promised for marriage to Satyavan. She claimed that a silent vow is not less virtuous than a promise and if she broke it she would be a sinner. She replied harshly that none can escape his fate. It is inevitable. If it were her destiny to be a widow, none could ever change it. Savitri argued harshly that none can escape his fate. Peace of mind is an illusion for human beings. If importance is given to advantages, the result is loss of destination and utter confusion. Human mind must be guided by rightfulness, and dutifulness. Savitri insisted on taking decision by sense of right and duty. According to her it was the best guide in human life. Her arguments made Narad Muni speechless.
ConclusionThus, Toru Dutt is a great poetess. She deals successfully with Indian myths and legends.
