Shakti Chattopadhay (Bangla: শক্তি চট্যোপাধ্যায়) (25 november 1934) was a Bengali poet. Shakti started writing in 1950s, but is usually associated with the generation of poets in 1960's. Regarded with great acclaim in Bangla literature, Shakti is equally well known for his legendary bohemian lifestyle. Most of Shakti's life was spent in Kolkata, India.
Shakti Chattopadhyay’s first collection of poems, named Hey Prem, Hey Naishabdya (O Love, O silence) came out in 1962. In the next thirty-two years, he wrote around two thousand five hundred poems were published through forty-five books.
Along with Sunil Gangopadhyay, Shakti remains the most famous poet of his generation. He was part of the Hungry generation poets, which he later denounced. With Sunil, he was instrumental in the influential Krittibash magazine. These two poets are often referred together as "Sunil-Shakti" due to their friendship, poems and personal exploits. Together with two other friends, they feature in what is probably the most representative poem of that generation of poets, containing the now famous line Moddhorate Kolkata shahson kore charjon jubok (In midnight, Kolkata is ruled by four young men).
In 1983, he received the Sahitya Akademi Award for his collection of entitled Jete Pari Kintu Keno Jabo (I can go but why?).
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Contents
- 1 Selected works
- 2 Sample Work
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Selected works
Poetry
- He prem he naishobdo
- Dhormeo achho jirafeo achho
- Shonar machhi khun korechhi
- Hemonter oronye ami postman
- Parer kantha matir bari
- Chaturdoshpodi kobitaboli
- Probhu noshto hoye jai
- Shukhe achhi
- Ishshor thaken jole
- Ostrer gourobhin eka
- Jolonto rumal
- Chhinno Bichhinno
- Shundor ekhane noy
- Kobitar tulo ore
- Ami chhire feli chhondo tontujal
- Hemonto jekhane thake
- Ai ami je pathore
- Jete pari kintu keno jabo
Sample Work
Following is the translation of a poem called Chabi (The key) from one of his early collections, Dhormeo acho jiraffeo acho (In religion and in jiraffe).
The Key
Till this day here lies with me
Lost long ago, your dearest key
You open still that chest of yours?
Touching your lips, that beauty spot,
A new land has my own heart got?
Now, right now, I write to thee.
Your key is there in loving care,
The time has come for you to dare,
Please write, if you do want it back?
In memories of no big need
Your tears, your face, lie like a seed
Please write, if you do want it back?
