The 202nd birth anniversary of the legendary 19th-century poet Michael Madhusudan Dutta is being observed in Kolkata today, with various commemorative programmes. A pioneer of Bengali literature, Madhusudan Dutta is celebrated for introducing blank verse (Amitrakshar Chhanda) and the sonnet to the language. Although he embraced Christianity and initially sought literary fame in the West, he later dedicated himself to his mother tongue, creating masterpieces like the epic Meghnad Badh Kavya, based on the Ramayana.
Despite his genius and contributions to Bengali drama and poetry, his personal life was marked by struggle and sorrow, leading to his untimely demise at the age of 49 in Kolkata.
A memorial service was organised by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) at his tomb in Park Circus. During the event, KMC Borough Chairperson Sana Ahmed paid floral tributes at the poet’s statue, joined by other dignitaries who gathered to honour the enduring legacy of the great rebel poet.
