Nativity Rituals: The Poetry of Jayanta Mahapatra

The book makes a critical attempt to study the poetic output of Jayanta Mahapatra one of the leading Indian English poets. Mahapatra’s poetic oeuvre is laden with the mythical landscape of his native land Orissa. The culture, sensibility and way of life of the people of his land of birth forms the nucleus in this poetry. Mahapatra himself wants to be known as on Oriya Indian poet writing in English who endeavors to develop a relationship with his inner self and his native land and tries to locate his roots therein. In this process different myths automatically enter his poetic corpus which incessantly turns out to be a voyage within and a voyage without. This exhibits Mahapatra’s commitment to make his poetry serve a social purpose. The author’s critical sojourn in the imaginary world of Jayanta Mahapatra is a significant read for lovers of poetry in general and Mahapatra’s poetry in particular.