Birendra Chattopadhyay (1920-1985) was one of the bountiful renowned poets in Bengali literature in india, wrote ‘After Death: Twenty Years’ or (Mrityur por: Kuri Bochhor) in bengali, from the collection of “Shreshto Kobita”, what was first published in 1998. In the poem, “Perception vs reality” are one of the most enchanted perspectives. In the course of the poem, it alludes what happened in the twenty years after Rabindranath Tagore’s death in 1941. Chattapadhyay expresses Tagore’s humanitarian dreams, it would prove mischief, if he was alive still 1947, when India gets its coveted independence. Superabominably, the poet endeavors to evoke his spirit in this piece to show him the harsh realities of 1946-47.
Chattapadhyay’s lyrical poem ‘After Death: Twenty Years’ expresses a first-person point of view apropos to present his lachrymation. The poem does not follow any specific rhymes scheme and predominant meter. It consists of twenty nine lines what are set in one stanza. ‘After Death: Twenty Years’ conveys an apostrophe to the poet Rabindranath Tagore.
The first line of the poem begins with an obscurity, that “all the terrible catastrophes--/ Escaped your eyes--/ you did not burn in the totur fire of ‘46”, it emphasizes that the poet Rabindranath Tagore skipped “The Royal Indian Mutiny of 1946”, and “The Great Calcutta Killing of 1946”, what were the fearful disasters. The hunger and the mass turmoil which came through “the blood”. The impoverished people fight each other for “the flesh of mothers”, and the country becomes to a living hell.
At beginning of ninth to the end of fourteenth line, Chattapadhyay expresses Hey Tagore, you did not have to see the India-pakistan's partition in 1947, and what was worse incidence than the madness of Lumbini Park Mental Hospital. The 1946 and 1947s worsted incidences become contradiction of “A light of humanity had filled your Life”. Hey Tagore, we had learnt to see the dreams from your colloquies.
At the fifteenth line, the poet elicits hey Tagore, the twenty year’s view after your death, that “Thirsty millions, a bathed blood, and life” become ruthless; and the history was like a “sewage afloat”, and he compares the synchronous people to an old hag “who runs the brothels at Sonagachi”.
The twentieth line begins with an Anti-Climax, “Ministers, political leaders, teachers, writers, students”, they are all like ornaments “Dogs on heat”, and the independent nation’s people join together. Hey Tagore, all our dreams are delirious jokes now, which “played on the reeds of an oft-used harmonium”.
Twenty fiftth line expresses, Tagore, you have imagined for welfare but you did not contemplate such “Calamity”, that would beffal this free country. Thus, you were at the point in your dream of humanity. From these magnificent lines , the poet expresses his lamentations that the countrymen create violations, sexualism, and infringing to the country, and all the people go to madness, they regularly go to Sonagachi to fulfill their sexual desires. Now, he lamentes, hey Tagore, your dreamy country is covered by the sinners, and if you stay alive then you will the sinners; however, Tagore, you missed these faults.
In conclusion, Birendra Chattopadhyay’s poem ‘After Death: Twenty Years’ reflects the catastrophic events that occurred during this period, including “the Indian independence, the partition of India and Pakistan, and the communal violence that followed, the brothels at Sonagachi, and ruthless” which resulted in immense suffering for the people. The poem also highlights the importance of Tagore’s legacy, as the poet suggests that his ideas and ideals continue to inspire and guide the people of India, even in the face of adversity.