SARKAR 1

NAME: PRERANA SARKAR

SEMESTER: 2

ENGLISH HONOURS

UID NO. :0304210348

ROLL NO.: 213936

COURSE: CC3

ENGLISH INFLUENCES ON 19TH CENTURY INDIAN ENGLISH POETS WITH

REFERENCE TO DEROZIO AND TORU DUTT.

When attempting a categorical comparison between “English” literature and Indian English

literature of the 19th century and the stylistic influences of the former upon the latter, it must

be noted that there always had existed a wide disparity between the progression of the English

language and literary ventures thereof, because of the simple reason that for the longest time,

the arrival of the English language in the Indian subcontinent, followed through by the sceptre

of the English crown meant that throughout the two centuries (approx.) of English rule in India,

the English language was met with resistance, contempt and alienation on part of the native

Indian population. Thus, it is observed of that even after the English language became the pall-

bearer of the early 18th century commingling Anglo-Indian culture, it still remained a

fashionable commodity to be attained by the even more fashionable prospect of formal English

education. In this regard it can be considered that through the pioneering works of the

poets/authors like Henry Louis Vivian Derozio, Michael Madhusudan Dutt, Mulk Raj Anand

and Toru Dutt the distinct brand of “Indian” English literature flourished, albeit with decidedly
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numerous characteristic and stylistic influence of contemporary and erstwhile trends in English

literature.

On the Converse side of this argument the growing familiarity of the English language into the

heterogeneous and culturally diverse Indian population stipulated that the English language too

would be susceptible to considerable influence by existing Indian culture and language related

norms which can be profoundly observed in the writings of the above mention writers and

eventually their descendants who carried on the progression of the language. In this regard of

influence of the English language upon Indian English literature can be inferred through

observing the writings of the two of the poets/authors Henry Louis Vivian Derozio and Toru

Dutt respectively.

Henry Louis Vivian Derozio, born in Calcutta in 1809 of mixed Portuguese, Indian and British

heritage, is regarded as the father of Indian English poetry. His poetry showcases the concept

of ‘poetic creation’ (as Wordsworth defines poetry as ‘the spontaneous overflow of powerful

feelings’ and in origin ‘emotion recollected in tranquillity’). Derozio’s writing showcase the

influence of Romantic poets of English literature as much as the same like Byron, Keats, Scott

and Moore. His creations showcase his passionate love for nature, nostalgic attachment to

erstwhile tradition and customs and the journey of dreams, emotions and imagination. He had

a keen interest in sonnets as his sonnets are very rich in both emotions and forms, matter and

manner. His writings were mostly derivative perhaps due to stifling sway of British society and

shows the heavy influence of the patriotic and revolutionary poems of Percy Bysshe Shelley.

In one of his poems, To India My Native Land he presents a vivid picture of the erstwhile and

the present India where he picturizes India as an eagle whose feathers are chained and the

majestic eagle is grovelling in dust (under the British rule). He uses words such as ‘sublime’
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that advocate the heavy influence of English romantic poets. In his poem Poetry Henry sang

unconcerned the epithet ‘sweet madness’ that reminds of Shakespeare's famous poem the

Lunatic, the Lover and the Poet. Derozio’s apt use of metaphors, epigrammatic presentation

and his connotative and aesthetic presentation draws imagination in reader’s mind.

Tarulata Dutt also known as Toru Dutt, was born to a Bengali family on March 4th 1856 in

erstwhile Calcutta. Her grandfather Rasamay Dutt was a great lover of English literature,

known for his progressive views. Coming from a liberal family where education, art and

linguistics were equally encouraged, she was well acquainted with many Christian missionaries

and European settlers in Calcutta which was the sign of affluence of those days. In 1869 the

Dutt family moved to France after the passing of their eldest son, where Toru and her sister

received education. Toru was fed on a literary diet of well-known writers such as the Bronte

sisters. The family then moved to Britain where Toru received her education in Cambridge

University. The Dutt family return to Bengal in 1873.

Though she had a huge British/English influence in her upbringing she was a harsh critic of

Britishers’ behaviour towards Indians. Came to be known as the “Keats” of Indo-English

literature, her poetry includes more personal, emotional association of feelings. Unlike Derozio

she did not portray intense patriotic feelings in her writings. Her poems awakened the

realisations of her critics that the East and West were not two antithetical identities and a

commingling was not only possible but also most fruitful for creative art, through this she was

regarded as one of the forerunners of poetic Renaissance in India. Being essentially one of the

pioneering first-wave of "Indian" English writers, and the fact that her initiation into English

had been through literature of the erstwhile Romantic and predecessor trends in English, her

work bears significant influences from said forms of literature. Just like other English

Romantics, she was touched by the beauty of nature and was fond of the beauty of the Champak

and the Lotus flower. Her treatment has no touch of Wordsworth but like Keats appeal to the
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senses of the readers as stated by one of her critics. The Lotus poem cedes the marked influence

of Hindu scriptures and nature on her.

“Love came to Flora asking for a flower

That would of followers be undisputed queen,

The lily and the rose, long, long had been

Rivals for that high honour, Bards of power”

Here Toru Dutt used “Bards” which in reality is associated with Gaelic spiritual powers of

England, Scotland and Ireland. Evidence of further stylistic influence is evident in Dutt's Our

Casuarina Tree, wherein, very much akin to Wordsworth's Yew Trees of Borrowdale and

Keats’ Darkling the swathe of expression relating to the poetess's childhood and her memories

of her siblings are seen to be intertwined with the being of the Casuarina tree.

Thus, each and every poet has an inspiration, that could come as a direct influence of the society

she/he belongs to. Application of methodology in poetry is the other tool which a poet applies

while she/he is in the process of writing.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY:

WORKS CITED-

1.Agarwal, K.A. (2003). Indian Writing in English, Atlantic Publishers and Distributors,

NewDelhi.

2. Prasad Amar Nath, Indian Writing in English: Critical Explorations www.abebooks.com

3. https://feminisminindia.com/2018/01/04/toru-dutt-essay/

4. https://www.indianetzone.com/49/early_indian_english_poetry.html