Indo-Anglican Poetry

Much could be written on IndoAnglican poetry, but there is neither space nor time to give a critical analysis on such a diverse subject. It was in the sunset of the 19th century that thousands of Indians were found travelling to England, Europe, America and China in the quest for knowledge. A new door was opened for India and she entered it without fear of breaking tradition and agelong customs of religion and caste. Indians began to express themselves in English and before long a new contribution was made to English literature. This Indo-Anglican literature (otherwise known as AngroIndia, Indo-English or Anglo-Oriental literature) was gradually seeping into English and European journals and was made popular through the sympathy of such scholars as Professor Max Muller, the German orientalist. This contribution was unconsciously a response of a new India that was making her soul acquainted with the new world. Indo-Anglican literature belongs as much to the Indians as it does to the West. It was through western education that such an offspring was born. Therefore a keen interest is expected of westerners in this new contribution to world literature. It is the only permanent and binding link between the East and the West and it is a chain far stronger to secure world peace than all the international organizations working for peace and world understanding.

However, despite the opening of the renaissance by countless numbers of poets, writers, artists and political leaders, the world was not conscious of the new trend until Rabindranath Tagore made his appearance. Tagore was nothing less than a whirlwind for the West, he took the world unaware. Tagore was no doubt famous throughout the length and breadth of India but he was little known outside. It was through the efforts of W. B. Yeats, the Irish playwright and poet, that Tagore was introduced to the West. The oriental scholars in Sweden were so touched by the depth and philosophy of his writings that they awarded him the Nobel Prize for literature in 1913. On the medal was written "For reason of the innerdepth and the high aim revealed in his poetic writings." Two years later he was knighted by the King-Emperor. Because Tagore is universally known it would be better to take him as an illustration for the new era in India.

Gandhi and Nehru may be colossal political figures in India, they have contributed to the Indianization of India, but when fully measured and compared to Tagore they are like two stars beside the moon. This harsh criticism is quite likely due to the fact that Rabindranath Tagore has been my idol from the days of my childhood, but national men and women throughout the world when summing up his contribution would tend to agree with me.

Before the advent of Tagore there were two outstanding poets in India: Bakim Chandra Chatterji and Ramparsad. The latter has written some of India's most perfect and beautiful lyrics. Tagore was not even capable of writing the type of popular song that Ramparsad has been noted for. The loveliest of all Bengali popular songs is Ramparsad's "This Day will Surely Pass. This Day will Pass." Tagore, great as he was, borrowed the first line for his own poem ("I Know this Day will Pass"). Other personalities in poetry are Iqbal (Muslim poet), Naidu (poetess). Ananda and Sen.