NOKSHI KATHAR MATH The reference of Nokshi katha is widely
One day Rupai went out to see the
present in Bengali literature and art. One
harvesting of the crops with other village
of my favorite example is a book of poems
men. Unfortunately while he was away
titled “Nokshi Kathar Math” by popular poet
a fight broke out between the men. In the
Jasim Uddin. Many of Jasim Uddin’s signifi-
consuming battle, someone gets killed
cant works portrayed the rural life of Bengal
and Rupai must go into hiding to protect
in a simple yet strikingly artistic fashion.
himself, and has to leave Shaju alone.
That is why he is known as `PolliKobi’ or Folk
Shaju waits for her love to return, not
Poet. ‘Nokshi Kathar Math’ is no exception. It
knowing if he ever will be able to do so.
is a folk love story ending in tragedy. It’s a
To help pass the time, she starts portraying
very popular poem and is often discussed
the sad tale of her life in a Nokshi Katha,
in school.
a quilt sewn from old clothes with delicate stitches.
The poem is a dramatized Bengali verse narrative, that tells the tragic love story of Shaju and Rupai. Shaju is a beautiful girl from a neighboring village and Rupai fell in love with her. With the help of a match maker, and the consent of their parents, Rupai and Shaju get married. For some time, they lived happily. However their happiness did not last long and things took a turn. 12
