Publication

Abstract : Sukumar Ray, an exponent of children's literature and a master of natural sciences, breathes a fine expression of humour and fantasy in his Ha-ja-ba-ra-la. As an exemplar of Bengali nonsense literature, he builds his themes using the inherent subversive elements in fantastic literature. The aim of this paper is to show how Ha-ja-ra-la-ba, that portrays human- animal interaction, shows existential crisis and tells of a nihilistic meaninglessness of life. Apart from the fictional way, this master stoker blends science into the scene-- quantum mechanics, transgressive element of which gives ways to multiple interpretation. With his fictionalization, the study shows how the 'absurd' and 'chaos' in general life is explored through the whimisical and humorous cocktail Ha-ja-ba-ra-la.