HENRY LOUIS VIVIAN DEROZIO

 

HENRY LOUIS VIVIAN DEROZIO

THE STORMY PETREL

NINETEENTH CENTURY BENGAL

18 April 1809 – 26 December 1831

SARASIJ MAJUMDER

DEROZIO illuminated the intellectual sky of nineteenth Century Bengal like a Spark of a thunder, for a very brief period but left behind an permanent GLOW, still visible.

EARLY LIFE:

• Henry Vivian Derozio was born at  present day Entally-  Padmapukur in Kolkata on 18^th  April 1809. He attended David Drummond’s school, then known as  Dharamtala  Academy. (Then spelt as Dhurrumtolla Academy.)
• He was an ‘EURASIAN’—father was probably of a ‘PORTUGESE’ ancestry, and an English mother. He had several siblings, he was a family man, and bore a close affection particularly to her younger sister, Amelia.
• Many think—his surname is ‘DE`ROZARIO’—which his family wrote as “DEROZIO”.
•  He acquired the following understanding of life in Drummond’s Academy, and through study of other books he collected. He was a voracious reader with a very sharp mind. He developed a very good personal Library by buying books of his Choice.

• India is his motherland, and he is an Indian. He was quite proud of this.

• Everyone in this country is his kindred soul.
• Nothing is beyond reasoning.  Even Religion! However—he was, and remained Christian by faith, with some beliefs of his own.

• Rationalism is a much greater treasure than blind faith in the old religious custom.

• He observed that “compared to literature and philosophy of the old and middle ages modern ones are richer”.
• He was considered a young GENIUS, and a PRODIGY, with immense promise.
• He visited Bhagalpur, and those days besides the river Ganges made a lasting impression in his mind. One of his well-known book of verse
• “ Fakeer of Jungheera-” was written this time.
• In May, 1826, Derozio was appointed as a  teacher in English literature and history in the  Hindu College at the  very young age of 17.

PROFESSIONAL LIFE:

• His brilliant lectures presented closely-reasoned arguments based on knowledge acquired by his wide reading. He encouraged students to read Thomas Paine’s The Age of Reason, and other free-thinking texts.
• Soon he became the most popular, and by far the most influential teacher.
• Derozio brought in ‘REASONING’ and “INTELLECTUALITY”  through his teachings, setting up a debating society, Academic Association, spreading new knowledge in literature, philosophy, history, religion and science, initiating a Renaissance, in a line different from Rammohan’s.  
• He had critical opinion against “Idolatry”, and blind ritual based religious beliefs of the contemporary rigid and narrow  Hinduism practiced by most of the Hindus, Rich and Poor; Educated, and Un-educated, in Bengal.
• Suddenly, his students, mostly from very conservative Hindu Bengali society got exposed to immense light of  European `knowledge unbound.
• He inspired his followers and students to question all authorities. Derozio’s initiated students, known as the Derozians and were fiery patriots and staunch moralists. 
• They cherished the ideals of the French Revolution (beginning 1789 A.D.) and the liberal thinking of many European scholars.
• His views opposed the burning of widows on the funeral pyres of their dead husbands or the killing of children to appease angry Gods.
• ‘Young Bengal’ was a group who were influenced by Derozio’s teachings, and the association of Derozians.

CONFLICT, & RESIGNATION:

·         A large part of the College authority disliked him, and conspired against him in a very mean manner.

·         Their main accusations were:-

·         He teaches Atheism, which was equally disliked by Orthodox Brahmins, and Christian Padris.

·         He promotes eating Cow Meat, and Alcohol. This was a critical complaint by Hindu Brahmins, and Upper cast college authorities.

·         They even charged him of his belief in incestuous relationship with his sister.

·         And all these charges were wrong, but they decided to terminate his association with the college on above grounds.

·         His well-wisher, Dr. H.H. Wilson, fast informed Derozio of the decision, to save him from the humiliation of being discharged, and Derozio resigned, with resentment of taking a unilateral decision without hearing him, on 25^th April, 1831.

POET DEROZIO

• We have stated that his famous POEM ‘The Fakeer of Jungheera’ is already written.
• He composed many ‘POEMS’. Two books of verse came to light in his lifetime. Poems (1827) and The Fakeer of Jungheera: A Metrical Tale and Other Poems (1828)
• His composition style matched, and was influenced by famous Romantic British Poets. However—he was yet to mature, and discover his own style. And most of his poems are rather LONG, and Ornamentally composed!
• One of my favourite poem of Derozio is “ To India- my native land”. I have attached a VDO url of this poem at reference.
• He was perhaps the best ‘Eurasian’ poet, who expressed and wrote about India, in his Poems, his Language being ‘English’.
• British critics also praised his poems, though often with critical comments.
• To India - My Native Land is a well-known poem of his reflecting patriotism, and To My Pupils his warm feelings for his dear students.
• Several selection of poems of Derozio appeared after his death.

LAST DAYS:--

·         After this, he devoted his time in Journalism, publishing, and editing Journals, and writing essays.

·         However, he didn’t live long, and died of Cholera on the 26^th of Dec, 1931. He lived for 22 years, 8 months and 8 days.

TEACHINGS OF DEROZIO, AND YOUNG BENGAL:--

·         Derozio died, but his teachings remained and GLOWING as a Light House of Knowledge.

·         The teachings of Henry Vivian Derozio inspired many students, who initiated an intellectual revolution which led to the development of the spirit of liberty, equality and freedom. This is known as “YOUNG BENGAL MOVEMENT”.

·         Those who were his direct students, were known as “DEROZIANS”.

·         He propounded liberal thinking and was a supporter of ‘Freedom of Speech’.

• Derozians attacked the then  blind, and narrow part of  Hindu religious rituals, strict caste system and  decadent customs. They also advocated women’s rights and their education. They were in favour of widow re-marriage, and promoted this before Vidyasagar, and was vehemently against widow burning (sati).
• They founded associations and organized debates against idol worship, casteism and religious superstitions.
• After the death of Derozio, the members of this group continued preaching progressive views through teaching and journalism.
• The Young Bengal Movement continued even after Derozio’s sudden death, for a long period.
• This had indelible effect on minds of educated Bengalis.

NOTE:-- I am personally indebted to Shree Prasad Sengupta. Many aspects on ‘DEROZIO’ was discussed with him, and I thoroughly read his book on “DEROZIO” cited below. All these influenced, and helped me to write this BLOG. I have shared an ‘YOU TUBE’, where one of his famous poem is explained in Hindi Language.

References:-

1.0 Bengali Book—“DIROZIO” by Prasad Sengupta. ( My schoolmate)

2.0 Bengali Book—“JHORER PAKHI” -by Pallab Sengupta.

3.0 https://poemanalysis.com/henry-louis-vivian-derozio/to-india-my-native-land/

4.0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr1-8CFD23o

5.0 Complete Works of Henry Louis Vivian Derozio—By Dr. Abirlal  Mukhopadhya and Others.---  The interested reader can read his compositions. I can share the details of Publisher, but the book may be out of print.

 

Image: GOOGLE