Nissim Ezekiel, short note for PGT English

 

1. Nissim Ezekiel was born on 16 December 1924 in Bombay (now Mumbai), India.
2. He is regarded as the father of modern Indian English poetry.
3. Ezekiel belonged to a Bene Israel Jewish family.
4. He studied English literature at Wilson College, Mumbai.
5. He later went to London for higher studies in philosophy.
6. Ezekiel returned to India and began teaching and writing.
7. His poetry marks a clear break from romantic and mystical trends.
8. He introduced realism and urban sensibility into Indian English poetry.
9. His first poetry collection is A Time to Change.
10. This collection shows his modern poetic approach.
11. Ezekiel wrote about city life, especially Bombay.
12. His poetry reflects middle-class urban experiences.
13. He used irony, satire, and humor in his poems.
14. His famous poem is Night of the Scorpion.
15. This poem describes a childhood memory of his mother being stung.
16. The poem highlights superstition and maternal love.
17. Another important poem is The Patriot.
18. This poem satirizes Indian English speech patterns.
19. Ezekiel’s poem Goodbye Party for Miss Pushpa T. S. mocks Indianized English.
20. He used conversational tone and simple language.
21. Ezekiel avoided heavy symbolism and obscure imagery.
22. His poetry is marked by clarity and discipline.
23. He often wrote about identity and belonging.
24. Ezekiel’s poems deal with love, religion, and morality.
25. His work reflects skepticism and rational thinking.
26. He also wrote plays, essays, and literary criticism.
27. Ezekiel worked as a professor and editor.
28. He edited literary journals and encouraged young poets.
29. His poetry collection The Unfinished Man is notable.
30. This collection reflects inner conflict and self-analysis.
31. His later collection The Exact Name shows maturity.
32. Ezekiel believed poetry should be honest and personal.
33. He focused on everyday events and experiences.
34. His style is realistic, ironic, and introspective.
35. Ezekiel’s poems often end with reflective insight.
36. He contributed greatly to shaping modern Indian English poetry.
37. Ezekiel received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1983.
38. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1988.
39. Ezekiel influenced many Indian English poets.
40. His poems are widely included in academic syllabi.
41. He presented Indian life without romanticizing it.
42. His poetry shows balance between tradition and modernity.
43. Ezekiel’s work emphasizes self-awareness and discipline.
44. He portrayed the reality of Indian society with humor.
45. His poems are easy to understand yet deeply meaningful.
46. Ezekiel died on 9 January 2004 in Mumbai.
47. He is remembered as a pioneer of modern Indian English verse.
48. His contribution to Indian English literature is invaluable..
49. He remains a central figure in the development of Indian.
50. Birth 24th December 1924 (in Mumbai of Jewish parents),

         Bene Israel.

         Death 9th January 2004 (suffered from Alzheimer disease)

  51. Nissim Ezekiel inherited love for proverbs and homespun wisdom from his 

        father.

  52. He studied at Automio D’ Souza High School and Wilson College, Bombay

         and Birbeck College London.

  53. He had the experience of teaching at school, at college and at university.

  54. Under the influence of M. N. Roy he became the member of the Radical

         Democratic Party.

  55. In 1947, he took his post-graduate degree.

  56. In 1948, he went to England for his study in philosophy under C. E. M. Joad.

  57. In 1952, he married Daisy Jacob.

  58. The Government of India conferred on him the title of ‘Padamshri’. He got 

        the Sahitya Academy Award for literature for Latter Day Psalms in 1983.

 

          HIS WORKS

 

POETIC COLLECTIONS

A Time to Change (1952)

Sixty Poems (1953)

The Third (1959)

The Unfinished Man (1960)

The Exact Name (1965)

Hymns in Darkness (1976)

Latter Day Psalms (1982)

The Collected Poems of Nissim Ezekiel 1952-1988

(Oxford University Press)

 

PLAYS

Nalini, a Comedy

Marriage Poem

The Sleepwalkers: A Tragi-comedy