Michael Madhusudan Dutt was a renowned Bengali poet of the 19th century. He is considered to be the first great poet of modern Bengali literature. His contributions to Bengali literature are immense, and he is remembered for his works in various genres such as sonnets, plays, and epic poems.
Early life
Michael Madhusudan Dutt was born on January 25, 1824 in Sagordari, Bengal, India (now in Jessore, Bangladesh). His father Mr. Rajnarayan Dutt, was a law practitioner in Kolkata. His mother, Jahnabi Devi started tutoring him at home and then at Sagardari Primary School. Dutt was admitted to Khidirpur School in Kolkata at the age of 7. He studied there for two years. Then he got admitted into Hindu College, with the aim of becoming a barrister. He studied Bangla, Sanskrit and Persian here along with other subjects. After his conversion to christianity, he had to leave Hindu college and entered Bishop’s College in 1844. He learnt Greek and Latin at Bishop’s College in addition to Sanskrit.
Literary Life
Michael Madhusudan Dutt was a child prodigy who showed remarkable talent in literature at a young age. He was proficient in both Bengali and English and had a deep love for literature and poetry. Dutt started writing exclusively in English. He didn’t get his desired recognition in that language. Later on, he realized his affection for Bengali culture and started writing in Bengali language.
Plays
Michael Madhusudan Dutt is famous for his plays. His plays are praised for their realistic portrayal of characters and their psychological depth. Dutt’s plays are also significant contributions to Bengali literature. His plays are known for their use of language, depth of emotion, and exploration of themes such as love, loss, and the struggle between fate and free will. His first play Sharmistha based on the mahabharata, was well received. It was the first original Bengali play. So, Dutt is the first Bengali playwright. His play Padmavati, based on a Greek myth, was the first use of blank verse in Bengali literature.
His plays are: Sharmistha (1859), Padmavati (1859), Ekei Ki Bole Sabhyata (1860), Krishna Kumari (1860), Buro Shaliker Ghare Ron (1860) and Maya Kanan (1872).
Poetry
Dutt’s poems reflect a new woman, self-conscious and expressive, unlike the women of the past who were deprived, neglected, terrified, afraid to express their joys and sorrows. After the successive use of blank verse in Padmavati, Dutt wrote Tilottama Sambhav Kabya also in blank verse. Bengali poetry got freedom from rhymed verse after this.
His long poems are : Tilottama Sambhav Kabya (1861), Meghnad Badh Kabya (1861), Brojangona Kabya (1861) and Birangana Kabya (1861).
Sonnets
One of the most significant contributions of Michael Madhusudan Dutt to Bengali literature was his use of sonnets. He brought the Western form of sonnets into Indian literature, and his sonnets are considered to be some of the best in Bengali literature. His sonnets were influenced by the works of William Shakespeare, John Milton, and Percy Bysshe Shelley. He was able to adapt the form to the Bengali language with depth of emotion and varieties of themes. Kopotakkho Nod is one of his famous sonnets. His sonnets were published as Chaturdashpadi Kavitavali (1866).
Epic
Another significant contribution of Michael Madhusudan Dutt to Bengali literature was his epic poem, Meghnad Badh Kabya. It is a retelling of the Hindu epic Ramayana, but it is told from the perspective of Ravana’s son, Meghnad. The epic is known for its length and exploration of themes such as love, loss, and myths. The poem is also known for its use of symbolism and imagery.
Other Works
Michael Madhusudan Dutt translated Dinabandhu Mitra’s play Nil Darpan into English. He also translated some dramas and his own Sharmistha in English. During his early literary career, he published two books in English while in Madras. They are : The Captive Ladie and Visions of the Past. His other works of English literature, translating Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet.
Personal Life
Michael Madhusudan Dutt wanted to break the tradition of caste-based endogamous marriage. With his knowledge of European culture, he was fond of marriages made by mutual consent. He was the first Bengali to marry a European, married Rebecca Mactavys while at Madras in 1848. She was a 17-year-old living at Madras Female Orphan Asylum. They had four children together, only two of them survived. At the time of marriage Madhusudan Dutt assumed the name Michael. His father died in 1855, then he returned to Kolkata the next year. He abandoned Rebecca and four children there. He started living with 22-year old French lady Emelia Henrietta Sophie White in 1858. They had two sons and a daughter. Their relationship continued until his death.
Last Days
Michael Madhusudan Dutt was abandoned by his family after conversion to christianity. Although he belonged to a wealthy family, his last days had passed through hardships. Having the habit of reckless spending, he met heavy debts and bankruptcy. Time before his death was painful because of debts, illness, and lack of treatment. He had no place to live so took shelter in the library of Uttarpara. The date of his death was 29 June 1873, three days after the death of Henrietta. The pioneer of Bengali literature died at Kolkata General Hospital in a miserable condition.
Michael Madhusudan Dutt’s influence on Bengali Literature
Dutt’s influence on Bengali literature is immense. His works were an inspiration for many of his contemporaries, including Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and Romesh Chandra Dutt. Some of his poems have been translated into English by Rabindranath Tagore who also wrote a biography about him titled Michael Madhusudan Dutt : A Biography in 1895. His works are taught in renowned universities throughout the world. He is having an iconic face on Bengali and Indian literature. His use of Western form of literature into Bengali culture has been adopted by many of the famous poets later on.
Legacy of Michael Madhusudan Dutt
Dutt was ignored for many years after his death. A Bengali language drama film was made named Michael Madhusudan in 1950. The film was directed by Madhu Bose while Utpal Dutt starred as title character. Madhusudhan is a play published in 2021 written by Namita Gokhale mainly based on letters written by Dutt to others. A school and a college has been named after him, Michael Madhusudan College and Sagardari Michael Madhusudan Institution in Jessore. Another university named Michael Madhusudan Specialized University is proposed to be built.
Dutt’s works are still remembered as some of the best literary creations in Bengali literature. He is also known for his influence on Bengali poetry, especially for introducing blank verse into Bengali poetry and creating new forms such as the sonnet.
Conclusion
Michael Madhusudan Dutt was the pioneer of Bengali literature. He is widely credited with initiating the modern era of Bengali poetry. He brought revolutionary changes to Bengali language and literature. Whatever he attempted to write, whether was the first or the greatest of that genre. Dutt’s works are seen as a bridge between ancient and modern literature. He will be remembered forever by every literature lover.