Henry Derozio

• Henry Louis Vivian Derozio

• (1809 – 1831)

• His mother was an English Cristian &, father was Portuguese and Indian ancestors

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• He was known during his lifetime as the first ‘national’ poet of modern India, and the history of Anglo-Indian poetry

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typically begins with him

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• The first educator in India to disseminate Western learning and science among the young men of Bengal.

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{Hindu College, Kolkata – 1817)

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Literary Passion
• He Was influenced by English Romantic poets.
(PB shelly Lord Byron, John Keats)
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• Supporter of ‘Freedom of Speech, Thought and Education of Women

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• Famous for his radical movement, the Young Bengal & for setting new patriotic

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poetry in India

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Themes- Nationalism and patriotism. Derozio writes of the “past glory” of India

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 His Major poetic collection & Poems
Poems (1827)
1. “The Harp of India”
2. “Song of the Hindoostani Minstrel”

The Fakeer of Jungheera: A Metrical Tale and Other Poems (1828)

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1. “The Fakeer of Jungheera”

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2. “To India – My Native Land”

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 The Harp of India
• In the poem, poet rejoices in nostalgia of the enriched past and the
accomplishments and wishes that one day India will regain its past
glory and finally be free.

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• The harp in the poem is used to signify the loss of art, tradition,

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culture, and literature produced by India.

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• The poem shows the effects of colonialization and how India lost its

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freedom completely to the British.

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• Silence of the harp refers to metaphorical death of their poetry.

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• Suggestive line- “May be by mortal wakened once again”
 “Song of the Hindoostani Minstrel”

• Describes the beauty of minstrel’s beloved (a Kashmiri girl- Dildar)

{Minstrel – wandering poet}

• Speakers speaks about about poverty.

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• Assures his beloved that soon they will see better days.

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Poem is echo of Robert Browing’ poem “Last Ride Together”

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 The Fakeer of Jungheera
• It throws light on and protest against the in human practice of sati in
the contemporary orthodox Indian society.

• The poem tells the tragic story of a young woman named Nuleeni,

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who has been brought to her late husband’s funeral pyre to commit

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sati when she is rescued by a band of thieves led by her childhood
friend, the titular fakir.

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• Poem is echo of Lord Byron’s “Turkish Tales” like The Giaour

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 To India – My Native Land
• Petrarchan sonnet{Single stanza of 14 iambic pentameter with fixed rhyme
scheme}
• Poem is about “patriotism and a love of freedom”

• Personifies India as a Divine Goddess

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• Poet says tlCountry that was once “worshipped as a deity” has been chained

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down to the lowest depths.

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Note- Sir Walter Scott’s poem ‘My Native Land’

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 Assistant Professor Exam 2020 : RPSC
The “harp” in a poem by the same name is a symbol of

(1) the glorious poets of ancient India.

(2) an ancient musical instrument.

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(3) a musical tradition.

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(4) a musician who used it.

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Answer-1
The harp represents India’s poets, culture, tradition, art and literature
 Thank You

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• Prpared by Assit Prof. Badri Yadav (Rajasthan)

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• Explained by Richa {JRF qualified 2022}