Introduction: Who was Toru Dutt?
Toru Dutt is remembered as one of the earliest and finest Indian poets writing in English. Despite her short life, she left behind a rich literary legacy that connected Indian culture with Western literary traditions. Born in a well-educated Bengali family, Toru Dutt’s remarkable talent and deep love for literature made her a symbol of cultural fusion between the East and the West.
Early Life of Toru Dutt
Toru Dutt was born on 4th March 1856 in a respectable Hindu family in Calcutta (now Kolkata). Her father, Govind Chandar Dutt, was a prominent linguist and the editor of the famous poetry collection The Dutt Album. Her mother, Kshetramoni, was deeply rooted in Hindu traditions and was well-versed in Hindu myths.
In her childhood, Toru’s family converted to Christianity. When she was just six years old, the family travelled to France and later to Cambridge, England. There, Toru and her elder sister, Aru, attended the Higher Lectures for Women and made friends with Mary Martin, who became a lifelong friend. Their correspondence holds significant literary value today.
Toru Dutt’s Literary Journey
Return to India and First Book
The family returned to India in November 1873. Back in her homeland, Toru began translating French poems into English. This remarkable work was published in 1875 under the title “A Sheaf Gleaned in French Fields”. The collection featured translations of poems by seventy different French poets.
Tragically, by this time, Toru had lost both her elder sister Aru and her brother Abju. Their deaths left a deep emotional impact on her, and she often expressed her grief and nostalgia in her poetry.
Passion for Indian Culture and Mythology
At the age of nineteen, Toru started learning Sanskrit. She also read classical Indian texts such as:
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The Mahabharata
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The Ramayana
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Shakuntala
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The Vishnu Puran
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The Bhagwat Puran
Her deep understanding of these epics inspired her next poetic collection, “Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan”, published posthumously in 1882 with a foreword by Edmund Gosse.
This collection reflects her strong connection to Indian roots, traditions, and myths, beautifully expressed in English for a global audience.
Toru Dutt’s Unique Poetic Style
Toru Dutt holds the title of being the first Indian poet to write about Indian myths and legends in English. Her poetry also shows influences of Romantic poets like John Keats and William Wordsworth, especially in her nature poems.
A notable aspect of her poetry is that, while she admired British poets, she never imitated them blindly. Instead, she created a unique poetic voice blending Indian themes with Western forms.
Toru Dutt’s Major Works
Poetry Collections:
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A Sheaf Gleaned in French Fields (1875) – Translations of French poems
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Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan (1882) – Based on Indian myths and legends
Novels:
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Bianca or The Young Spanish Maiden (1878) – An unfinished English romance
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Le Journal de Mademoiselle d’Arvers (1879) – A novel in French
Critical Essays:
Toru Dutt also wrote a few literary essays, showcasing her deep knowledge and understanding of global literature.
Famous Poems by Toru Dutt
Two of her most famous poems are:
1. Our Casuarina Tree
This poem reflects Toru’s deep love for nature, childhood memories, and Indian landscape. It symbolizes nostalgia and loss, blending Indian sensibility with English poetic tradition.
2. Sita
Inspired by Indian mythology, this poem showcases Toru’s ability to bring ancient Indian stories alive in English, making them accessible to the world.
M.K. Naik, a respected critic, rightly remarked:
“The nostalgia expressed so poignantly in her ‘Our Casuarina Tree’ and ‘Sita’ was not manufactured in English, for it was a cause of her soul.”
Toru Dutt’s Legacy
Toru Dutt passed away in 1877 at the young age of 21, just as her creative genius was blossoming. Her untimely death was a great loss to Indian literature.
The literary world recognised her exceptional talent. The Saturday Review wrote:
“There is every reason to believe that in intellectual power Toru Dutt was one of the most remarkable women that ever lived.”
Renowned writers like Edward Thompson compared her to Sappho and Emily Brontë, while James Darmesteter, a famous French critic, described her as:
“A daughter of Bengal, Hindu by race and tradition, English by education, French at heart, poet in English, prose writer in French—a phenomenon without parallel in literary history.”
Conclusion
Toru Dutt’s life may have been short, but her works continue to inspire generations. As a true pioneer of Indian Writing in English, she beautifully blended Indian heritage with Western education, leaving behind timeless poetry and prose. Her contribution to literature is not only a matter of national pride but also a shining example of how Indian voices found global recognition through the English language.
More about Toru Dutt : Read here
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Toru Dutt
Q1. Who was Toru Dutt?
Toru Dutt was a 19th-century Indian poet and novelist who wrote in English and French. She is known for blending Indian mythology with English literary forms.
Q2. What are the famous works of Toru Dutt?
Her famous works include A Sheaf Gleaned in French Fields, Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan, Our Casuarina Tree, Sita, and the novels Bianca and Le Journal de Mademoiselle d’Arvers.
Q3. What is special about Toru Dutt’s poetry?
Toru Dutt’s poetry combines Indian myths, legends, and cultural themes with Western poetic techniques, making her work unique and globally appreciated.
Q4. How did Toru Dutt contribute to Indian English Literature?
She was one of the first Indian poets to present Indian stories and sentiments in English, paving the way for future generations of Indian English writers.
Q5. At what age did Toru Dutt pass away?
Toru Dutt died at the young age of 21, in 1877, leaving behind a rich literary legacy.
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