Time flows at an indolent pace. The mind floats in an empty space. Into that vast void, images drift. Over many eons, many have flit To the distant past. Arrogant conquerors sped fast. Pathans rode to satiate their greed. Then, Mughals wheeled Victories, whipping dust-storms, Flying flags for their throngs. These empires have left no trace On the vast void at which I gaze. Through ages, the serene sky Is with sunset and sunrise dyed. Now the might of Britons holds sway Penetrating new pathways With the power of steam And vehicles of fiery steel. With vigour, they spread Their dominions across the land’s breadth. I know their regime will also pass. Their empire will crumble at last. On the astral plane, despite their strength, Their army will not leave a single indent.
When I look around the Earth, An ocean ripples along its girth Heaving huge waves of humanity Through myriad paths, in myriad coveys, Over centuries as their daily needs are met In life and in death. Forever, they row, With their rudders tow, Work in fields, plant seeds, Their harvests reap. They work all the time, In towns or in wilds. Empires decline silencing bugles of war. People forget histories of battles fought. Stories of glory, angst and gore, Stay concealed in children’s lore. They struggle to work hard, In Punjab, Bombay and Gujarat, In Bengal, in Kalinga, all over the land, By the coastline and the riverbank. These stories of daily life hum Reverberating like drums; Joys, sorrows, day and night Resonate as hymns to our lives. Empires are ruined to ashes. Over eons, they toil as masses.
This poem has been translated by Mitali Chakravarty with editorial input by Sohana Manzoor
.
PLEASE NOTE: ARTICLES CAN ONLY BE REPRODUCED IN OTHER SITES WITH DUE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO BORDERLESS JOURNAL
While we celebrate the life and works of Jayanta Mahapatra, we are reminded that his poetry transcends time and place. It invites us to contemplate our own existence, our relationships, and our place in the world. Through his words, he has left an indelible mark on the world of literature, demonstrating that poetry has the power to illuminate the soul and bridge the gaps that separate us.
In the realm of Indian English poetry, few names shimmer as brightly as Jayanta Mahapatra’s. With his pen as his brush and words as his palette, Mahapatra has painted a rich tapestry of emotions, existential contemplations, and cultural explorations across his entire oeuvre. His poetic journey is a testament to the transformative power of words, a journey that has touched the hearts and minds of readers across the globe. Born in Cuttack, Odisha, in 1928, Jayanta Mahapatra emerged as a prominent figure in Indian English poetry during the latter half of the 20th century. His literary contributions are marked by an intricate interplay between his Odia heritage and a universal sensibility, transcending geographical and linguistic boundaries. His poetry resonates with the human soul, delving into the complexities of existence and the nuances of human emotions.
Mahapatra’s poetry is characterised by its profound introspection. He peers into the innermost recesses of the human psyche, unearthing the facets of identity, memory, love, and loss. His verses serve as mirrors, reflecting not only his own experiences but also inviting readers to confront their own inner landscapes. This journey of self-discovery is a central theme in much of his work. A Rain of Rites(1976), marked his debut in the world of poetry. In this collection, Mahapatra’s poetic voice emerges with striking clarity. He grapples with the isolation of the individual in a complex world, where traditions and rituals rain down upon us like a deluge. His poems often evoke a sense of longing and the search for self-identity, themes that resonate with many who grapple with the modern human condition. Some of his most celebrated poems like “Five Indian Songs”, “Samsara”, “The Whorehouse in a Calcutta Street”, “Hunger”, and “Dawn at Puri” are featured in this collection.
Mahapatra’s deep connection to his homeland, Odisha, infuses his poetry with a unique sense of place and culture. His verses are filled with vivid depictions of Odisha’s landscapes, its people, and its age-old traditions. The collections Shadow Space (1997), Life Signs (1983) and Waiting (1979) stand as testaments to this connection. Through his words, he transports readers to the shores of Puri, the temples of Konark, and the chaotic streets of Cuttack in poems at the same time intertwining them with stark social evils such as rape, poverty, widowhood and casteism. Mahapatra often juxtaposes moments of exquisite beauty with stark desolation in his poems. This interplay between the beautiful and the unsettling creates a sense of dissonance that challenges conventional notions of aesthetics and forces readers to grapple with the coexistence of contrasting elements in life.
In “Relationship” (1980), the book that fetched him the Sahitya Akademi Award, Mahapatra delves into the intricate web of human connections of his personal life. Briefly, “Relationship” is a single poem that deals with the diverse relationships the poet shares with the Konark temple, Kalinga war, friends, parents, anxieties, scruples, suffering, and glory and decay of Odisha. In his words, the poem “was a romance with my own land and with my innermost self”. He explores the complexities of relationships, both personal and societal, with a keen and compassionate eye. Many of his poems resonate with readers on a universal level, as they ponder the nature of love, the fragility of bonds, and the ever-shifting dynamics of human interaction.
Mahapatra’s poetry often treads the fine line between the spiritual and the worldly. In Temple (1987), he dives deep into the realm of faith and spirituality. His verses serve as a bridge between the sacred and the profane, inviting readers to reflect on the profound interplay between the material and the divine. These poems are an exploration of the human quest for transcendence, a theme that has been a consistent thread in his work. In his collections such as Hesitant Light (2016), Land (2013), Random Descent (2005) The False Start (2001), Mahapatra continued to delve into existential questions with unwavering honesty. A number of his poems serve as a mirror to the complexities of life, urging readers to confront the transient nature of existence, the ever-elusive pursuit of meaning, and the relentless passage of time. Throughout his career, Jayanta Mahapatra has exhibited a strong sense of social consciousness. He uses his poetry as a medium to address issues of poverty, inequality, and human suffering. His empathetic voice bears witness to the world’s injustices, serving as a reminder of the poet’s responsibility to shed light on society’s darker corners. His poetry challenges us to confront uncomfortable truths and advocate for change through the power of words in poems such as “Crossing the River”, “Village Mythology”, “Progress”, “Bazaar Scene”, “These Women”, “Blind Singer in a Train”, “Hunger” and many others.
Jayanta Mahapatra’s literary journey has been paved with accolades and awards that reflect his enduring impact on literature. He was honoured with the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1981, the Commonwealth Poetry Prize in 1987, and the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honours, in 2009. These accolades acknowledge not only his literary prowess but also his ability to touch the hearts of readers with his profound insights and evocative verses.
Jayanta Mahapatra’s legacy is not confined to his words on paper; it lives on in the hearts and minds of those who have been touched by his verses. His poetry is a timeless gift to humanity, a profound reflection on the human experience, and an enduring testament to the power of the written word. It becomes a powerful catalyst for introspection and reflection. A deeper understanding of both the self and the world challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths, inviting them to embark on a journey of self-discovery and intellectual engagement. His work not only unsettles but also deeply enriches and provokes us to think. We are reminded that his legacy will continue to inspire and resonate and Jayanta Mahapatra’s name will forever remain etched in the annals of literature, a testament to the enduring power of the poet’s voice.
.
Dikshya Samantarai is a PhD Research Scholar from the Department of English, School of Humanities, IGNOU. Working on the representation of body politics in Jayanta Mahapatra’s poetry, her research contributes to the ambit of critical discourses in Indian English.
PLEASE NOTE: ARTICLES CAN ONLY BE REPRODUCED IN OTHER SITES WITH DUE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO BORDERLESS JOURNAL
Title:Ashoka and the Maurya Dynasty: The History and Legacy of Ancient India’s Greatest Empire
Author: Colleen Taylor Sen
Publisher:Speaking Tiger Books
In The Outline of History, H. G. Wells wrote of Ashoka: “In the history of the world, there have been thousands of kings and emperors who called themselves their highnesses, their majesties their exalted majesties and so on. They shone for a brief moment, and as quickly disappeared. But Ashoka shines and shines brightly like a bright star, even unto this day.”
Ashoka and The Maurya Dynasty: The History and Legacy of Ancient India’s Greatest Empire by Colleen Taylor Sen is a refreshingly ravishing account of the Mauryan empire. Two things stand out prominently in the book: flawless and wide-ranging. Sen has done something extraordinary in dealing with the most powerful empire in India – the amount of material she has used to write the book.
Says the blurb: “At its peak in 250 BCE the Maurya Empire was the wealthiest and largest empire in the world, extending across much of modern India, except a small area in the far south, Pakistan, and parts of Afghanistan up to the Iranian border. The Maurya capital, Pataliputra, was one of the largest cities of antiquity. India (although it was not yet called by that name) was a global power that traded and maintained peaceful diplomatic relations with its neighbors, as far afield as Greece and Egypt.”
Chicago-based, Dr. Colleen Taylor Sen is a culinary historian – having authored several books on food from across continents. A widely translated author, this book does full justice to the subject.
Says the book: “[O]f the seven or eight Maurya emperors, two are remembered today as among India’s greatest leaders: Chandragupta Maurya and his grandson Ashoka. Chandragupta, the founder of the Maurya dynasty, created his empire through both war and peaceful means. He was the first Indian leader known to have signed an international treaty (with the Greeks in the northwest). His grandson Ashoka, after conquering Kalinga in a bloody war in 261 BCE, renounced violence. He then spent the rest of his life advocating and propagating a policy of religious tolerance, kindness to all creatures, and peaceful coexistence in a multicultural society—a policy he called Dhamma.”
Sen discusses Emperor Ashoka’s life, achievements, and his legacy in her book. It also explores the legacy and influence of the Mauryas in politics throughout Southeast Asia, China, and India, as well as in contemporary popular culture. That makes the book broad-based.
An anecdotal reference to the book is in order. While searching for food histories in India, Sen found herself intrigued by Ashoka and began exploring more about him. After conquering Kalinga in a bloody war in 261 BCE, Ashoka renounced violence. He spent the rest of his life propagating religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence in a multicultural society.
In a book of about two hundred sixty adrenaline-charged pages, Sen deals with the rise, the highest point it reached, and the fall of the dynasty. She focuses on the accomplishments of Ashoka. In addition to a truthful account, she discusses Buddhist legends, the legacy of the Mauryas, and colonial South Asia. A captivating add-on tells the story of the rediscovery of the long-forgotten historical Mauryas in the 19th and 20th centuries. The intricacies of Mauryan historiography do not take her away from storytelling and she tells it rather profoundly. The result is a glowing record of one of the world’s most remarkable political eras.
The appendix to the book is as fascinating as it is inquisitive. She does a thorough analysis of how several historians unearthed the Mauryas and what led to those explorations. In her view, the post-Independent Indian historians took a ‘patriotic line’ and presented Ashoka as a ruler free of foreign influences. India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, saw in Ashoka the embodiment of a secular role. The Marxist historian, DD Kosambi, wrote that the Ashoka edicts were the first bill of rights for citizens. Then she says, despite extensive scholarship, many questions about the Mauryan empire remain unanswered. For example, what did the city of Pataliputra look like, and will it ever be excavated?
The book is a brilliant addition to the existing literature on Ashoka and the Mauryan Empire. A must-read for history professionals and general book lovers.
.
Bhaskar Parichha is a journalist and author of Unbiased, No Strings Attached: Writings on Odisha and Biju Patnaik – A Political Biography. He lives in Bhubaneswar and writes bilingually. Besides writing for newspapers, he also reviews books on various media platforms.
PLEASE NOTE: ARTICLES CAN ONLY BE REPRODUCED IN OTHER SITES WITH DUE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO BORDERLESS JOURNAL
Borderless 