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 18th 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
25th 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 26th
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
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