GRANDFATHER BY JAYANT MAHAPATRA : ABSTRACT

Jayant Mahapatra is an Indian Poet who started his writing career in the late sixtees; 

Born in Orissa into a Christian Family {22 OCT 1928}.

Became a First Indian Poet to win a Sahitya Academy Award for English Poetry.

He also won Padma Shri in 2009 but returned it in 2015 for Protest against the rising Intolerance in India.

ABOUT POEM

The Poem "Grandfather" discusses an event from the life of his Grandfather which changed the life of future generations of his family. He puts light on the Diary written by his Grandfather where he has mentioned about an incident of his life which tuckled him to convert himself into a Christian.

His Grandfather and his ancestors were all Hindus but the Famine crisis of 1866 which strucks orissa changed it all. The Grandfather of writer was forced into conversion due to the stringency faced by him and his family at that time.

Myriad of People were starving and dying of Hunger; the writers Grandfather had no choice left either he could convert himself into Christianity or die of Hunger. He had to made a Decision as his and his families life was depended on that only.

Poet's Grandfather was a Staunch Hindu who was young and Loved his Religion but indispensable need of saving the life of his Family tuckled him to convert into Christianity.

This act of Poet's Grandfather somewhere shows the Pathetic Mindset of Society who was busy converting the people in the name of help and support to fulfill their religious interest and at the same time the urge of the ones who were affected by the Famine Crisis of that Time that they left their "origin" for saving the lives of their near and Dear ones.

The Diary of Poet's Grandfather somewhere reveals the Pain and Suffering his grandfather faced during that time, it is an account of his Sufferings and Chaos. The Pangs of hunger has completely impulsed him to turn his back towards his religion and docile the other Religion that is Christianity.

The decision took by poet's Grandfather proved fruitful as he saved the life of his family members and made a Tranquil way for upcoming generations. But Deep down his Grandfather was always a hindu by heart , He always somewhere stifled throughout his life as he had to leave his Identity, culture, deities, memories and much more .

The Grandfather of Poet might had experienced long sleepless Nights, immense Painful days and other sorrowful moments which he only could imagine , a conversion made at cost of his identity might had broken him deep down from Roots but he backed his Family and gave them a Better Tomorrow. 

The Poem Talks about the Mental Agony and Death of Identity.

At the end of the Poem the Narrators wishes and hopes that whatever Happened at the time of his Great grand father must not repeat .

Almost all the Poems of Jayant Mahapatra deals with the Subject of "Hunger" .

'Freedom' and 'Hunger' also talks about the Subject "Hunger" in a Detailed Manner.