Face to Face with Jayanta Mahapatra (part 2)

Besides being one of the most popular Indian poets of his generation, Mahapatra was also part of the trio of poets who laid the foundations of Indian English Poetry. He shared a special bond with A. K. Ramanujan, one the finest poets in the IEP tradition. Mahapatra is also different in not being a product of the Bombay school of poets. Over time, he has managed to carve a quiet, tranquail poetic voice of his own -- distinctly different from those of his contemporaries. His wordy lyricism combined with authentic Indian themes put him in a league of his own.

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[profrksingh]

I know Mahapatra won't support any idiot.

[MrRohufish]

@profrksingh

Mahapatra's poems are more metaphysical than cultural. His pride is justified because most Indian poetry editors or critics lacked and still lack the aesthetic and artistic abilities to understand a poet of this stature. I am deeply offended by the way this idiot of a critic in this video is bent upon proving an inane point with Mahaptra Sir. A glossary wasn't needed for Mahapatra's poetry because he brought universality to seemingly exotic locales.

[profrksingh]

I could not appreciate the senior poet's pride in his acceptance and praise from foreign editors. He felt depressed after rejection from the editor of The Illustrated Weekly and abandoned short story writing. I wish as editor of Chandrabhaga he had also published some less known Indian English poets who have appeared in foreign magazines in the USA, UK, New Zealand, Australia and elsewhere, and taken pride in his acceptance by the Indian audience.

--R.K.Singh