Md Imran Hosen
A simple answer might be offered when defining poetry: poetry is magic. But it is beyond magic, like the flute of a pied piper. Poetry is an art, an emotion, and a love for the alphabetic magic that holds the beauty of lovers and readers.
Poetry is the identity of a culture and an integral part of tradition, particularly in a land of beauty like Bangladesh. From Rabindranath Tagore's everlasting poems to the revolutionary words of Kazi Nazrul Islam and Jibanananda Das's compelling lines, Bengali poetry has become a substantial component of our culture.
But are we forgetting how powerful poetry can be in the hustle of modern life? Are we ignoring the significant effect words can have on our minds, societies, and sense of who we are?
Probably yes. Readers no longer feel the same attraction as they used to. People like listening to modern songs more; they confine themselves to an illusion. Where poetry fails to arrive and break the cage, it's crippled by the shackles of modernity. Lovers never make poetry because it no longer touches the receiver's heart.
In Rabindranath's writing, a reflection of the beauty and complexity of life can be found. His poems, steeped in metaphor and symbolism, speak of love, nature, and the human being. The expressive lines of Tagore, like those in 'Gitanjali,' go beyond the constraints of space and time to speak to the core of ourselves. People are getting detached from the beauty of Tagore.
A student from the University of Dhaka named Sifat Al Rashid shared, "Due to the availability of modern and pop songs, the mind gets so distracted that it never feels like enjoying reading the soothing words."
Jibanananda Das explored human emotions and the transience of life. His poetic lyrics about nature and existential anxiety capture human agony. Das's poetry, 'Banalata Sen,' evokes desire and melancholy, seemingly stopping time.
The rebel poet Kazi Nazrul Islam fought injustice and persecution with his poetry. Generations were galvanised into action for liberty and justice by his revolutionary zeal and raging poetry. 'Bidrohi' (The Rebel), a famous poem by the national poet, is still a call to arms for anyone who wants to change the world. But questions remain - if poetry goes through the pangs of death, how will it call others to bring about change?
Bengali poetry is losing popularity in modern society despite its rich past. Poetry struggles to find its voice in an era of technology and rapid satisfaction when social media replaces books, and urban life drowns out nature.
However, Bengali film has revived poetry to some extent in recent years. Films like 'Natoker Moto' and 'Mayurakshi' have highlighted poets and their healing and inspiring words. These films remind us of poetry's lasting importance via cinematic narrative.
Let's hope one day, lovers will compose poetry again, appreciating the beauty of their lovers and bringing back the colours of love in our monochromatic modern lifestyle.
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