Bilingual Poetic Voice:
An Interview with Mahendra
Bhatnagar
Dr. Nilanshu Kumar Agarwal
Mahendra Bhatnagar
is one of the significant post-independence voices in Hindi and Indian English
Poetry. Rooted deep into the Indian soil, his poems reflect not only the moods
of a poet but of a complex age. He was Professor and Head, Department of Hindi,
NKA : What are the major themes of your
poetry?
MB : I am writing poetry since Nov. 1941,
in Hindi. Work on English versions began in 1952-53. That time, English
versions were published in HINDI REVIEW, a prestigious English magazine
of Nagri PracharSabha
(
As far as major themes
(topics / subjects) of my poetry are concerned, they can be easily seen or
understood by reading my poetry collections.
From the very dawn of my
poetry writing, I am writing on social, economic, national, political and
cultural aspects. Of course, I am also writing from the beginning of my poetic
career on nature, love, optimism (tendency to look upon the bright side of
things), life's drawbacks, disappointments, deceits, despair, pains,
sufferings, shallowness of people etc.
Span of my poetry is
divided into two parts. A—Period before independence (about
six years). B— Post-independence period.
I am not attached to any
political dogma or any political party; though there are very clear tones in my
poetry as far as the left thinking is concerned. I believe not only in Gautam Buddha's philosophy but also in the views, thoughts
and reasoning of Karl Marx and Gandhi. I am of the opinion that free thinking
is absolutely necessary for every intellectual, and genuine writer and poet.
NKA: You have written poetry both in
Hindi and English languages. Out of the two, which one is closer to your heart?
MB: It's obvious that writing poetry in Hindi — my mother
tongue — is closer to my heart. Though, I wrote several short poems originally
in English, my poetic works are translated into English either by me or by
reputed Indian English poets and professors in colleges / universities.
NKA: Did you feel comfortable in
creating poems in English? My personal belief is that poetry is a spontaneous
activity, which can not easily come out in an alien language. So, your English
poetry may not be directly from the heart. What do you say?
MB: Expression of the heart and mind is more natural in
one's mother-tongue. There is not much need of efforts in it. Expression in
mother-tongue is an inherent element. That's why writing poetry in
mother-tongue is also easier.
As everyone is not a
master of English or of any other language other than one's mother-tongue, it
is absolutely necessary to understand and grasp the peculiar specialties of
that language. Otherwise, writing poetry will prove totally un-poetic. Language
accomplishment is possible only if you are familiar to that language. As, I
never went to
The second part of your
question is rather related to the definition of poetry. It is an established
fact that poetry is a spontaneous activity. This fact can't be denied. But,
this is true only in writing lyrical poetry. Descriptive poetry requires time
and patience. That is a more conscious effort. Poetry is not a meaningless
utterance of a crazy or a sentimental man. There should be nothing mystical in
poetry. Emotions and thoughts are indispensable elements of poetry. Poetry
comes from the heart under the strict censorship of the mind. Poetry writing is
not a society-aloof affair. In all forms of art communicability is essential;
language may be alien or home.
NKA : Some of your poems are translated
too. What, in your view, are the essential qualities of an excellent literary
translation? Do you find these traits in your translated work?
MB : Not some, most of my poems are
translated into English. Nine volumes of my poetry are already published. They are :
[1]
Forty Poems of Mahendra Bhatnagar
[2]
After The Forty Poems
[3]
Dr. Mahendra Bhatnagar's
Poetry
[4]
Exuberance and other poems
[5]
Death Perception : Life Perception
[6]
Passion and Compassion
[7]
Poems : For A Better World
[8]
Lyric-Lute
[9]
A Handful Of Light
Two more volumes are forthcoming.
Translating poetry is
really a difficult task. Translators must have good command over both the
languages; only then perfect translation work is possible. But, this does not
always happen. Translators should be faithful in translating poetry. Nothing
new (may be better) should be added. On the other hand simply literal translations
are not considered as good translations. Inherent ideas of the poet must get
place in translations. In my opinion this is the basic condition of a good
translation.
As far as translations of
my poems are concerned I am satisfied. I myself took great pains in putting
appropriate words in translated versions of my poems. I consulted several
dictionaries, including bi-lingual. I really feel proud and I am really very
happy to register that my talented translator-friends are very competent,
worthy, decent, and of very high caliber. A few of them are poets of
international repute. It's really very astonishing that I got their sincere
cooperation. It's nothing; except my good luck!
NKA : What is the source of poetry in you?
It is said that poetry emerges out of intense emotional experience of the poet.
I suppose, it must also be the case with you. Your comments,
please.
MB : Yes, the source of creating poetry
lies in 'intense emotional experiences.' This is the first and most essential
element of poetry. 'Thought' comes next. Other elements are imagination and,
language and style.
I am of the opinion that
without noble and high thoughts, poetry remains a thing of luxurious merriment
only. We call a poet a 'RISHI' (a sage). He is a torch-bearer of the society
too. He is not a jocular / jester. Nor does he represent only the vulgar
appeals of licentious persons. Such things are not synonyms of 'emotion'.
Please note.
NKA : Your collection Poems : For A Better World is written with a
zeal to reform the world. The satirical tone is prevalent throughout. For
instance, in 'Invoking Modern Man', you say:
Again and again
Our God incites us
To kill other's God!
Is not the reformist zeal a sort of
burden on the principle of pure poetry? Poetry should be read for sheer
aesthetic pleasure. The moralist's purpose should be minimized in it.
Didacticism in art sometimes stifles the aesthetic value of it. What do you say
about this dichotomy of two ideals — 'art for art's sake' and social
documentation in art? How should we describe Mahendra
Bhatnagar's poetry? Is he a creative poet of complete
enjoyment or a poet with a mission? Please tell something.
MB: 'Art for art's sake' or social documentation in art —
both factors are often discussed in poetics. There is nothing new in it. We
cannot undermine the importance of aesthetic values in poetry. But as I have
already expressed only enjoyment should not be the aim of writing poetry. The
poet must be realistic and visionary. I agree didactism
minimizes the influence of art and poetry. Thus the poet must be cautious in
expressing his mission; otherwise peoples' hearts will not stir. We cannot favour negligence towards artistic approach in poetry;
though it is fundamental to see what the inner contents of your poetry are.
Thoughts of the poet must be healthy. Literature is created for the welfare of
the society. Man and society are in central pivot. At times poetry becomes the
dutiful weapon of social revolutions. Poetry has many shades. One-sided version
is not justified. Mainly utility should be the criterion of poetry. You cannot
boycott expressions of nature's beauty and love. It has its own utility. It
softens the heart and makes the man more humane. Tender feelings are also a
part of life. How can we ignore them?
NKA : What are the formative influence on
you?
MB : You mean, influences in giving shape to poetry. A far as the structural construction of
poetry is concerned I do not do much labour. I wrote
metrical compositions in the beginning of my poetic career. Afterwards I
inclined towards blank-verse or free-verse. I feel comfortable in writing
free-verse; but not without metre and rhymes. Of
course, there is no regular metre and rhyme. Hindi
poet Nirala wrote such free-verse. But, framework of
my poetry is rather new and original. Most of my poems give glimpse of
free-verse; but actually they are metrical under discipline. There are internal
rhymes also in my poems; though not regular. I wrote very few prosaic poems.
Poems written in prose style are often not impressive. A sort of tone or tune
may be there. In fact I write poetry in my own style. I tried my level best to
create poems having modernistic expression.
NKA : As a Senior Professor of Literature,
what do you think are the reasons for the diminishing of the interest of the
youth in literature? The young men and women hardly care for literary icons.
The really meritorious students do not go for higher studies in the fields of
Literatures. They opt for the careers in Engineering Science. What factors are
responsible for this apathetic attitude towards literature? What are the
possible remedies for this tangling problem?
MB : I think, the main and the foremost
reason of the diminishing choice of the youth for literature is purely and
clearly economic. One has to earn money for himself and for his family.
Everyone wants to live safe. Everyone wants to live a smooth and easy going
life. Everyone wants to enjoy all the boons of the present scientific and
technical progress. That's why young people are also running to get more and
more monetary gains. Literature doesn't provide such gains to a large majority
of people.
As far as the diminishing
interest in literature is concerned there are other factors too. Obsolete
literature has no charm in it; however rich that may be. The age has changed.
Scientific achievements have changed totally our thinking. Today's youth is
more realistic. Only that literature will become popular which possesses the
realities of the time. God-centered devotional literature has lost its
relevance. Though we are secular and modern yet in Hindi literature you will
find a major thrust on old-fashioned devotional utterances. In the curricula of
schools and colleges there is no agreement with the times; students are rather
compelled to read the literature, concerned only with Ram-Sita
& Radha-Krishna. We must search human values in
current literary arena of our times. That will surely create interest in the
readers.
Secondly, literary works
must be simple and clear. Communicability should be the primary condition of
literary writings. Unfortunately, today's literature is not fulfilling this
urge. Most of the present literature is difficult to understand. Complicated
expressions are often overlooked. We want to read that literature which is
healthy in thoughts, lucid in expression and bright with artistic skills.
NKA : Who are the other contemporary
bilingual authors and poets writing in Hindi and English languages? What should
be done to promote bilingual writings in
MB : I am not much aware of other
bilingual poets and authors. Bilingual poetry is very useful; especially with
English as one of the languages. I write poetry in Hindi and English. Hindi versions
of my poetry are read throughout
Mrs. Purnima
Ray (mother-tongue Banglaa) translated my poems very successfully
in French with the help of these bilingual poems. Mrs. Purnima
Ray taught French at
Publishers also publish
such bilingual collections easily; due to their quick sale in a wider area of
the country and abroad.
NKA : What are the major issues / themes
before the contemporary creative writers in
MB : Msajor
issues / themes before the contemporary writers in
Other issues too are
clear viz. corruption in politicians, officers and contractors, bribery, social
crimes, terrorism, cruelty and murder, robbery, rape and oppression of women,
increasing alcoholism, immorality of the police, poverty, unemployment, burden
of taxes, business of educational institutions, adulteration, religious wild
excitements, bad character of doctors and advocates, expansion of capitalism,
irresponsible media and so on.
NKA : One great problem, involved in
creative writing, is that publishers do not easily come forward in publishing
the books of new authors. In most of the cases, the authors are charged money
for the publications of their books. How can this problem be solved? Can
e-publishing be an alternative? Are there certain problems in the publication
on Internet too? I think the people do not take the Internet publications much
seriously. They just go cursorily over the whole text. Moreover, very few
people are armed with the facility of Internet. So, what is the way out. Your views about all this.
MB: Now-a-days everything is commercialized. Publishers
publish only those books which are easily salable. Poetry books are not much
popular amongst readers, because most of the poets are writing highly difficult
poetry. The problem of communication is foremost in the field of poetry writing
today. Fake and incompetent poets are seen in abundance. They are writing a lot
of trash poetry. In the name of blank verse or free verse poets are writing
poetry in prosaic form. Such poetry doesn't appeal the common man.
It's true now-a-days genuine poets also
are facing difficulties in publishing their works. On Internet too we see a lot
of raw and rubbish poetic matter. Of course, we find standard matter in
e-magazines and in blogs of reputed poets. The
popularity of internet is increasing in the educated class of society. No
doubt, Internet is a satisfactory channel for the poets to display their works.
NKA : You are associated with a number of
literary figures and organizations. Will you mention some, whose cooperation
has assisted you in moulding / shaping of your
literary sensibility?
MB : Oh, I am not much associated with
literary figures and associations. My movements are limited. I am afraid of
travel, mostly alone. That's why I am not able to take part in outside
symposiums, lectures, meetings etc. I do not attend Kavi-sammelans
(poets' meet). I even do not go to conduct viva-voce tests of research scholars
or attend meetings of several academic, literary and audition (AIR) committees,
though universities are ready to give expenses of air-journey or hired taxi for
this purpose.
I am connected with a few literary
personalities only through correspondence or through internet. I am not
associated to any group of writers. I was never
supported by any 'Mahant' (eminent chief of
literature). That is why, I suffered a lot. My writings didn't come in
limelight; as it should be. I have carved out a niche for myself in the field
of literature through my own efforts. People know me only through my writings.
=======================================================================================
The interviewer Dr.Nilanshu
Kumar Agarwal is Senior Lecturer in English at
=====================
Dr. Mahendra Bhatnagar
110 BalwantNagar,