Sudeep Sen: The Poet as an Art Seeker

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate an under probed realm in the study of contemporary Indian Poetry in English. While the poet as raconteur is widely written about and analysed, what perhaps merits more or even equal attention is the poet’s equation and engagement with other art practices. There are several attempts being made by contemporary Indian poets to fathom this relationship and also acknowledge the inspiration they might have derived from the other arts. In my paper, I attempt a close reading of Sudeep Sen’s poetry which demonstrates this trait. Sen’s is an aware, observant voice whose poetry has witnessed a constant intermingling and dialogue between various art forms with an attempt to comprehend art making, creation, form, stylistics and the poem itself as a multidisciplinary art object. From Tagore’s ink drawings to the classical dance forms of India to paintings of Matisse, Sen’s catholicism abounds in his eclectic selection of subjects. While talking about other art forms, he is evolving new forms through his poetry which is much akin to a dancer’s choreography that he has set out to scrutinise and describe. The poet is a rasika (art seeker) and the poetry his quest to understand art.