Nakshi Kanthar Math
Nakshi Kanthar Math or Nokshi Kanthar Math (Bengali: নক্সী কাঁথার মাঠ, meaning "The Field of the Embroidered Quilt" published in 1928[1]) is a dramatized Bengali verse narrative written by poet Jasimuddin. The verse is considered a masterpiece in Bengali language and has been translated into many different languages.[1] The poem was translated later by Mary Milford as "The Field of the Embroidered Quilt".[2]
Plot
The verse is a tragic folk tale written in simple language and centers around Rupai and Saju. Rupai is a young peasant Rupa, who falls in love with a girl named Saju in his neighboring village. They are married. But after a quarrel and fight with some peasants of another village Rupa leaves home and flees far away. Saju, the young wife becomes alone. She waits every day with expectant that her husband will return to her, but nothing happens. She becomes tired, all her hope becomes falls. Many days pass and Saju begins to prepare a Nakshi Kantha (an embroidered quilt). In that Nakshi Kantha she types (writes) all the (sad) incidents and tragedies. More days pass and Rupa does not return. Finally Saju dies. Before her death she requests her mother to put the Nakshi Kantha on her grave. Her mother does accordingly. And since then the name of the field becomes Nakshi Kanthar Math.
সেই হতে তার নামটি হয়েছে নক্সী কাঁথার মাঠ...
Translation: Since then the field is known as Nakshi Kanthar Math
Some days after Saju's death, villagers find a young man is lying dead on the grave of Saju and that Nakshi Kantha is in his hands. Villagers identify that man as Rupa.
Critical reviews
The play has been considered as one of the best tragic romantic poems written in Bengali. The poem has been adapted into plays, dance dramas multiple times.
References
- 1 2 "Jasimuddin". Jasimuddin.org. Retrieved 1 March 2012.
- ↑ Amaresh Datta. The Encyclopaedia Of Indian Literature (Volume Two) (Devraj To Jyoti), Volume 2. Sahitya Academy. Retrieved 1 March 2012.