Dwijendralal Ray, often known as D. L. Ray (19 July 1863 – 17 May 1913), was a renowned Bengali poet, playwright, and musician. Born in Krishnanagar, Nadia, Bengal (now in West Bengal, India), on 19 July 1863, he became one of the most prominent figures in the Bengali Renaissance. His works, particularly his songs and plays, have left an indelible mark on Bengali literature, music, and theatre. He is best remembered for his nationalist and mythological plays, and his collection of songs, known as Dwijendrageeti, which has over 500 pieces and constitutes an entire subgenre in Bengali music.
Early Life and Education
Dwijendralal Ray was born into an aristocratic family. His father, Kartikeyachandra Ray, was the Dewan (chief officer) of the Krishnanagar Palace, a role that brought him into contact with many intellectuals and artists of the time. His mother, Prasannamoyee Devi, was a descendant of Advaita Acharya, one of the principal disciples of the great saint Shri Chaitanya. Dwijendralal was the seventh of eight children, with six brothers and one sister.
From a young age, Ray exhibited an intellectual and temperamental nature. He was introspective, thoughtful, and a lover of nature, but he also had the gift of eloquence. He attended Krishnanagar Collegiate School, where he passed his Entrance Examination in 1878 and later his First Arts Examination in 1880. Afterward, he pursued higher education at Hooghly College, where he earned his B.A. degree. Ray continued his studies at Presidency College, Calcutta, and completed his M.A. in English in 1884 from the University of Calcutta, where he received recognition for his academic excellence.
Early Career and Publishing
During his teenage years, Dwijendralal Ray started composing poems. His first collection of songs, Aryagatha, written between the ages of 12 and 17, was published in 1882. This was the beginning of his literary journey. While in England, where he went in 1884 on a state scholarship to study agriculture, Ray wrote The Lyrics of Ind (1886), a collection of English poems. He also contributed to the Bengali press, sharing his observations about British customs, food, and culture in a series of letters, later compiled as Bileter Patra (Letters from England).
Career in Administration
After returning to India in 1886, Dwijendralal Ray joined the British Indian civil services as a Deputy Magistrate. His administrative career spanned multiple regions of Bengal, Bihar, and the Central Provinces, where he worked in various capacities, including in the Excise, Land Records, and Agriculture departments. He was known for his deep sense of justice and concern for the welfare of the common people, which led him to take a firm stand on issues related to peasant rights.
In 1890, while serving in the Sujamutha division of Medinipur, Ray strongly opposed the excessive taxes imposed on peasants by the colonial administration, leading to a clash with the Bengal Governor. His courage and commitment to social justice were reflected in his professional life, as he actively led protests against unjust tax rates and defended the rights of farmers. Ray’s personal life was also marked by significant events, including his marriage to Surabala Devi in 1887, though she tragically passed away in 1903.
Ray’s political and social activism found a significant outlet through his literary and musical works, many of which were inspired by nationalistic ideals and his desire to contribute to India’s struggle for independence.
Literary Contributions
Dwijendralal Ray’s literary works can be categorized into several genres, including patriotic songs, plays, and poetry. He was an ardent nationalist and believed in the power of art to inspire social change. His songs, collectively known as Dwijendrageeti, have become a cornerstone of Bengali music and continue to be sung in various settings today.
Some of his most famous songs include:
- “Dhana Dhanya Pushpa Bhara”, a patriotic song celebrating the prosperity of the land and the freedom struggle.
- “Bongo Amar! Jononi Amar! Dhatri Amar! Amar Desh”, a song expressing his deep love and attachment to his homeland.
- “Dhaner Khamar”, another song that epitomizes the connection between agriculture and the prosperity of Bengal.
In addition to his songs, Ray was a prolific playwright. His plays were marked by their nationalist themes and exploration of historical figures. Some of his most significant plays include:
- “Ekkhane” (1889), a social play
- “Kalki-Avatar” (1895), a play based on mythology
- “Sita” (1908), a mythological drama
- “Rana Pratap Singh” (1905), a historical play depicting the valor of the Rajput king
- “Nour Jahan” (1908), exploring the Mughal queen’s role in history
- “Chandragupta” (1911), based on the life of the Mauryan emperor.
Ray also composed several other works in the genres of comedy, tragedy, and historical drama, exploring complex characters and moral dilemmas. His plays, particularly his historical dramas, sought to revive national pride and instill a sense of unity among the people of India during the colonial period.
Political Engagement and Nationalist Activity
Ray’s works were not just confined to the literary and artistic realms. He was deeply involved in the political landscape of Bengal during the time of the British Raj. Following the 1905 Partition of Bengal, Ray became actively involved in the cultural movement to reunite the two new provinces. This period saw the creation of several of his patriotic compositions, including his famous song “Dhana Dhanya Pushpa Bhara,” which expressed his pride in the land of Bengal and his desire for national unity.
Ray’s political activities were also marked by his social reforms. He was an outspoken critic of Hindu orthodoxy and the ritualistic practices that dominated the religious sphere. His collection Hanshir Gaan (Songs of Laughter) critiqued the upper-caste domination in religious practices and social conventions, offering a satirical perspective on the inequalities within the society.
Last Years and Death
Dwijendralal Ray’s health deteriorated in the later years of his life, particularly after he was transferred to Bankura in 1912 and then to Munger. His battle with illness led him to take voluntary retirement, and he returned to Calcutta. In 1913, Ray began editing the journal Bharatbarsha, but his declining health cut his editorial work short. On 17 May 1913, Dwijendralal Ray passed away suddenly in Kolkata due to an epileptic seizure, leaving behind an enduring legacy in Bengali literature, music, and theatre.
Legacy
Dwijendralal Ray remains an iconic figure in Bengali cultural history. His songs, dramas, and poems continue to be celebrated for their lyrical beauty, their commitment to social justice, and their deep nationalist sentiments. His unique ability to blend music, literature, and theatre to address both the personal and the political continues to inspire generations of artists, musicians, and writers.
Through his Dwijendrageeti, Ray created a musical genre that not only reflects the Bengali cultural ethos but also fosters national pride and unity. His historical plays, in particular, remain relevant for their exploration of themes like heroism, sacrifice, and the struggle for freedom. Today, Dwijendralal Ray is remembered as a pioneering figure in Bengali literature and music, whose contributions continue to shape the cultural landscape of Bengal.
