Poem

I shall return to this Bengal, to the Dhansiri’s bank
Perhaps not as a man, but mayna or fishing-kite;
Or dawn crow, floating on the mist’s bosom to alight
In the shade of this jackfruit tree, in this autumn harvest-land.
Or may be a duck- a young girl’s bells on my red feet,
Drifting on kalmi-scented waters all the day:
For love of Bengal’s rivers, fields, crops, I’ll come this way
To this sad green shore of Bengal, drenched by Jalangi’s waves

Perhaps you’ll see a glass-fly ride the evening breeze,
Or hear a barn owl call from the silk-cotton tree;
A little child toss rice-grains on the courtyard grass,
Or a boy on the Rupsa’s turgid stream steer a dinghy
With torn white sail – white egrets swimming through red clouds
To their home in the dark. You will find me among their crowd

Poem Summary

In the poem “I Shall Return to This Bengal,” the poet expresses his deep yearning to return to his beloved land of Bengal. He imagines returning not as a human, but as various elements of nature. The poet’s love for Bengal is so profound that he envisions himself as different creatures, blending into the natural landscape he cherishes. He imagines becoming a small bird, like a mayna or a fishing-kite, or even a dawn crow. This imagery represents his desire to merge with the land’s natural beauty.

The poet pictures himself landing in the shade of a jackfruit tree by the Dhansiri River. The jackfruit tree is significant because it symbolizes the autumn harvest, a time of plenty and abundance in Bengal. He envisions himself as a duck, drifting on the river with bells on his feet. This image reflects his love for the rivers and fields of Bengal, highlighting the serene and peaceful aspects of the land.

As he continues to imagine his return, the poet describes various scenes that capture the essence of life in Bengal. He sees a glass-fly riding the evening breeze and hears a barn owl calling from a silk-cotton tree. These images evoke the tranquil and natural aspects of Bengal. He also envisions a child tossing rice grains on the grass in a courtyard, representing the simplicity and warmth of daily life in Bengal. Additionally, he imagines a boy steering a dinghy on the Rupsa River with a torn sail, adding a touch of rustic charm. The sight of white egrets swimming through red clouds further enhances the beauty of the natural landscape.

Reflecting on his return, the poet feels a deep sense of nostalgia and reverence for Bengal. He acknowledges that even if he does not return as a human, his bond with the land remains strong. The idea of becoming part of nature – whether as a bird, a duck, or an owl – symbolizes his eternal connection to Bengal. The poet’s desire to merge with the natural world and the everyday life of Bengal shows his deep love and respect for his homeland.

The poet also contemplates the beauty and significance of Bengal, describing it as “sad green” and “drenched by Jalangi’s waves.” The term “sad green” suggests a sense of longing and sorrow for being away from Bengal. The Jalangi River, an important water body in Bengal, represents the continuous flow of time and the poet’s enduring attachment to the land. The river’s waves symbolize the poet’s deep emotional connection to Bengal, reflecting both its beauty and its melancholic aspects.

In another part of the poem, the poet reflects on the elements of rural Bengal that he finds beautiful and meaningful. He describes various creatures and natural elements, such as the magpie robin, the banana tree, and the Hijal and Tamal trees. These images represent the simple yet profound beauty of Bengal’s rural landscape. The poet’s admiration for these natural elements highlights his deep emotional connection to the land and its everyday beauty.

The poem also explores the poet’s sense of fulfillment and completion that he finds in Bengal. He perceives Bengal as the most beautiful place in the world, and this perception brings him immense joy and satisfaction. The poet’s sense of fulfillment comes from his deep connection with the land and its natural elements. Bengal, with its rivers, fields, and cultural richness, provides him with a sense of ultimate contentment and belonging.

While the poem expresses a deep love for Bengal, it does not necessarily reflect a political stance. Instead, the poet’s attachment to Bengal is more about cultural and emotional connection rather than political nationalism. The poem highlights the poet’s personal bond with his homeland and his desire to return to it, emphasizing the importance of cultural and emotional ties over political ideologies.

The poet reflects on how his connection to Bengal has influenced his view of life and death. By imagining himself as different creatures of nature, the poet explores the idea of rebirth and continuity. His vision of returning to Bengal in various forms symbolizes his desire to remain connected to the land even after death. This perspective reflects the poet’s belief in the eternal bond between himself and his homeland.

In the final part of the poem, the poet summarizes his feelings of longing and attachment to Bengal. He reiterates his desire to return to Bengal, highlighting the deep emotional and cultural significance of the land. The poem ends with a sense of reverence and nostalgia, emphasizing the poet’s enduring love for Bengal. His return, whether as a creature of nature or in another form, signifies his unbreakable connection to his homeland and the timeless beauty of Bengal.

Poem Analysis

Overview

Jibanananda Das’s poem “I Shall Return to This Bengal” is a profound expression of the poet’s deep affection for his homeland, Bengal. The poem reflects themes of longing, nostalgia, and a deep connection with nature. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, Das conveys his desire to return to Bengal not as a human, but as various elements of the natural world. The poem illustrates the poet’s profound bond with the land and his reverence for its beauty.

Love for Bengal

The central theme of the poem is the poet’s intense love for Bengal. Das expresses this affection by imagining himself as part of the natural landscape. His love is so deep that he envisions merging with the environment in various forms, such as a bird or a river creature. This choice of imagery reflects how integral Bengal is to his sense of self and identity.

Das does not see Bengal merely as a geographical location but as a vital part of his existence. By describing his return as different natural elements, he emphasizes that his bond with the land is more than physical; it’s spiritual and emotional. This blending with nature symbolizes the poet’s wish to be eternally connected with his homeland.

Imagery and Symbolism

The poem is rich in imagery and symbolism, which serve to deepen the reader’s understanding of the poet’s feelings towards Bengal.

1. Nature Imagery: Das frequently uses images of nature to convey his love for Bengal. For example, he imagines himself as a duck on the Dhansiri River or a mayna perched in a tree. These images are not just visual but evoke feelings of peace and harmony with the land. The natural elements mentioned in the poem symbolize different aspects of Bengal’s beauty and tranquility.
2. Seasonal and Cultural References: The poet references seasonal elements, such as the jackfruit tree, which signifies the autumn harvest and abundance in Bengal. This symbolizes the richness of the land and its cultural significance. Similarly, the mention of the Rupsa River and white egrets connects to the rural charm and natural beauty of Bengal.
3. Everyday Life: Das includes scenes from everyday life, like a child tossing rice grains or a boy steering a dinghy. These details highlight the simplicity and warmth of life in Bengal, making the poet’s affection for his homeland more relatable and grounded.

Themes

1. Longing and Nostalgia: A predominant theme in the poem is the poet’s longing for Bengal. His imagination of returning as a part of nature reflects a deep sense of nostalgia. This longing is not just for the physical land but for the experiences and feelings associated with it. Das’s portrayal of returning as various natural elements underscores his desire to reconnect with his homeland in a profound and eternal manner.
2. Rebirth and Continuity: The poet’s vision of returning as different creatures of nature can be seen as a metaphor for rebirth and continuity. By imagining himself as a bird or a river creature, Das explores the idea of being part of the eternal cycle of life and nature. This symbolizes his wish for his connection to Bengal to endure beyond his physical existence.
3. Cultural and Emotional Connection: The poem emphasizes the poet’s cultural and emotional connection to Bengal. Das does not focus on political or nationalistic themes but rather on his personal bond with the land. This connection is reflected in his detailed descriptions of the natural landscape and everyday life in Bengal.

Tone and Mood

The tone of the poem is both contemplative and reverent. Das’s reflections on returning to Bengal are imbued with a sense of longing and admiration. The mood is melancholic yet hopeful, capturing the poet’s deep affection for his homeland and his desire to remain connected with it.

Das’s use of descriptive language and vivid imagery contributes to the overall mood of the poem. The serene and tranquil images of nature evoke a sense of peace and harmony, while the poet’s yearning to return reflects a deep emotional resonance.

In conclusion, Jibanananda Das’s “I Shall Return to This Bengal” is a heartfelt exploration of the poet’s love for his homeland. Through rich imagery and symbolism, Das conveys his deep emotional and cultural connection to Bengal. The themes of longing, nostalgia, and rebirth are central to the poem, reflecting the poet’s desire to merge with the land he cherishes. The tone and mood of the poem emphasize the poet’s reverence for Bengal and his enduring bond with it.

The poem serves as a poignant reminder of the deep connection between individuals and their homeland, illustrating how the natural world and everyday life can become a part of one’s identity. Das’s vision of returning to Bengal as different elements of nature highlights the timeless and universal nature of his affection for his land, making the poem a powerful expression of love and nostalgia.