Derozio’s Poetry and the Spirit of Bengal Renaissance: A Philosophical Reflection

Abstract

Through his poems and radical views, pioneering Bengal Renaissance artist Henry Louis Vivian Derozio helped to greatly shape the intellectual and cultural consciousness of 19th-century Bengal. Reflecting his great interaction with Enlightenment principles and humanist thought, his poetic compositions capture the spirit of rationalism, patriotism, and social reform. Emphasizing themes like independence, self-awakening, and opposition against dogma, this dissertation critically analyzes Derozio’s poetry as a philosophical medium that captures the spirit of the Bengal Renaissance. Examining his poetic vision in the framework of modern sociopolitical changes helps one to see how Derozio’s literary creations encouraged critical investigation and national identity. The book also looks at the intellectual aspects of his work, especially his support of reason, personal freedom, and ethical humanism, therefore establishing him as a representative of contemporary Indian ideas. By means of a critical analysis of his creative legacy, this study emphasizes the continuing relevance of Derozio’s ideas in the conversation on enlightenment and social reform in colonial and postcolonial India.