Kallol
Encyclopedia
Kallol refers to one of the most influential literary movements in Bangla literature, which can be placed approximately between 1923 and 1935. The name Kallol of the Kallol group derives from a magazine of the same name (which translates as the sound of waves in Bangla). Kallol was the main mouthpiece for a group of young writers starting their careers around that time including Premendra Mitra
, Kazi Nazrul Islam
, and Buddhadeb Basu. A number of other magazines that followed Kallol can also be placed as part of the general movement. These include Uttara (1925),Pragati (1926), Kalikolom (1926), and Purbasha (1932).
, Dineshranjan Das, Sunita Debi, and Manindralal Basu set up the "Four Arts Club" at Hazra Road in Kolkata
to discuss and practice literature, fine arts, music, and drama. The four members published an anthology of short stories in 1922 named Jhorer Dola ("The Sway of the Storm").
Dineshranjan Das and Gokulchandra Nag were able to establish a magazine and a literary circle in 1923, which they named Kallol. The regular adda
, or literary discussion, would be held at Dineshranjan's house at Patuatola Lane, Kolkata.
in Bengali literature
. However, the general literary atmosphere was not entirely receptive of such a radical break from the critically and popularly acclaimed humanism
of Tagore. Another major literary establishment of the day, Shanibarer Chithi, began a famous literary feud with the young Kallol members which lasted for years. Tagore himself joined the debate and published a few essays in Kallol where he mentioned that he appreciated the literary effort, but found that the demand for realistic literature was just flaunting "poverty combined with the unrestraint of lust". He described the literary squabbles of the day in Shesher Kabita, where the protagonist Amit Ray, is a modernist, who abhors Tagore's humanism but espouses it later. The Kallol members, on the other hand, heavily influenced by Sigmund Freud
and Karl Marx
, did not deny that they loathed an idealist's version of a "higher" individual. The discussions of the Kallol circle provided ideas for many of the progressive writers of the age. Although not often associated with the circle, Tarashankar Bandopadhyaya participated in many of the discussions.
Perhaps, one of the greatest achievements of the Kallol group was in establishing a new generation of writers and thinkers in Bengal
. When writing for Kallol, Nazrul was only twenty-five, Premendra Mitra under twenty, and Buddhadeb Basu fifteen. Nazrul would establish a rebellious streak in Bangla poetry, Mitra, a Chekhovian
grasp of the short story and Basu would inspire a generation of poets with his little magazine group Kabita.
Premendra Mitra
Premendra Mitra was a renowned Bengali poet, novelist, short story writer and film director. He was also an author of Bangla science fiction and thrillers.-Life:...
, Kazi Nazrul Islam
Kazi Nazrul Islam
Kazi Nazrul Islam , sobriquet Bidrohi Kobi, was a Bengali poet, musician and revolutionary who pioneered poetic works espousing intense spiritual rebellion against fascism and oppression. His poetry and nationalist activism earned him the popular title of Bidrohi Kobi...
, and Buddhadeb Basu. A number of other magazines that followed Kallol can also be placed as part of the general movement. These include Uttara (1925),Pragati (1926), Kalikolom (1926), and Purbasha (1932).
History
In 1921, Gokulchandra NagGokulchandra Nag
Gokulchandra Nag was a Bengali writer and artist best known as one of the founding members of the Kallol literary group and circle. In 1921 along with Dineshranjan Das, Sunita Debi, and Manindralal Basu he formed the predecessor of Kallol, "The Four Arts Club"...
, Dineshranjan Das, Sunita Debi, and Manindralal Basu set up the "Four Arts Club" at Hazra Road in Kolkata
Kolkata
Kolkata , formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, it was the commercial capital of East India...
to discuss and practice literature, fine arts, music, and drama. The four members published an anthology of short stories in 1922 named Jhorer Dola ("The Sway of the Storm").
Dineshranjan Das and Gokulchandra Nag were able to establish a magazine and a literary circle in 1923, which they named Kallol. The regular adda
Adda (South Asian)
For other uses, see AddaAn adda is a form of intellectual exchange among members, who were originally of the same socio-economic strata, but the process has democratized in modern times. It is most popular among the youths belonging to the so-called "middle-class intelligentsia"...
, or literary discussion, would be held at Dineshranjan's house at Patuatola Lane, Kolkata.
Influence
The Kallol circle was perhaps the first conscious literary movement to embrace modernismModernism
Modernism, in its broadest definition, is modern thought, character, or practice. More specifically, the term describes the modernist movement, its set of cultural tendencies and array of associated cultural movements, originally arising from wide-scale and far-reaching changes to Western society...
in Bengali literature
Bengali literature
Bengali literature is literary works written in Bengali language particularly from Bangladesh and the Indian provinces of West Bengal and Tripura. The history of Bengali literature traces back hundreds of years while it is impossible to separate the literary trends of the two Bengals during the...
. However, the general literary atmosphere was not entirely receptive of such a radical break from the critically and popularly acclaimed humanism
Humanism
Humanism is an approach in study, philosophy, world view or practice that focuses on human values and concerns. In philosophy and social science, humanism is a perspective which affirms some notion of human nature, and is contrasted with anti-humanism....
of Tagore. Another major literary establishment of the day, Shanibarer Chithi, began a famous literary feud with the young Kallol members which lasted for years. Tagore himself joined the debate and published a few essays in Kallol where he mentioned that he appreciated the literary effort, but found that the demand for realistic literature was just flaunting "poverty combined with the unrestraint of lust". He described the literary squabbles of the day in Shesher Kabita, where the protagonist Amit Ray, is a modernist, who abhors Tagore's humanism but espouses it later. The Kallol members, on the other hand, heavily influenced by Sigmund Freud
Sigmund Freud
Sigmund Freud , born Sigismund Schlomo Freud , was an Austrian neurologist who founded the discipline of psychoanalysis...
and Karl Marx
Karl Marx
Karl Heinrich Marx was a German philosopher, economist, sociologist, historian, journalist, and revolutionary socialist. His ideas played a significant role in the development of social science and the socialist political movement...
, did not deny that they loathed an idealist's version of a "higher" individual. The discussions of the Kallol circle provided ideas for many of the progressive writers of the age. Although not often associated with the circle, Tarashankar Bandopadhyaya participated in many of the discussions.
Perhaps, one of the greatest achievements of the Kallol group was in establishing a new generation of writers and thinkers in Bengal
Bengal
Bengal is a historical and geographical region in the northeast region of the Indian Subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. Today, it is mainly divided between the sovereign land of People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, although some regions of the previous...
. When writing for Kallol, Nazrul was only twenty-five, Premendra Mitra under twenty, and Buddhadeb Basu fifteen. Nazrul would establish a rebellious streak in Bangla poetry, Mitra, a Chekhovian
Anton Chekhov
Anton Pavlovich Chekhov was a Russian physician, dramatist and author who is considered to be among the greatest writers of short stories in history. His career as a dramatist produced four classics and his best short stories are held in high esteem by writers and critics...
grasp of the short story and Basu would inspire a generation of poets with his little magazine group Kabita.
Authors belonging to the Kallol group
- Gokulchandra NagGokulchandra NagGokulchandra Nag was a Bengali writer and artist best known as one of the founding members of the Kallol literary group and circle. In 1921 along with Dineshranjan Das, Sunita Debi, and Manindralal Basu he formed the predecessor of Kallol, "The Four Arts Club"...
- Dineshranjan Das
- Achintyakumar SenguptaAchintyakumar SenguptaAchintya Kumar Sengupta ), was a renowned Bengali author. He was born in Noakhali, now in Bangladesh.-Life:At the age of 13, after his father's death, Sengupta moved to Calcutta, where he completed his schooling....
- Premendra MitraPremendra MitraPremendra Mitra was a renowned Bengali poet, novelist, short story writer and film director. He was also an author of Bangla science fiction and thrillers.-Life:...
- Buddhadeb Basu
- Kazi Nazrul IslamKazi Nazrul IslamKazi Nazrul Islam , sobriquet Bidrohi Kobi, was a Bengali poet, musician and revolutionary who pioneered poetic works espousing intense spiritual rebellion against fascism and oppression. His poetry and nationalist activism earned him the popular title of Bidrohi Kobi...