Introduction
Jayanta Mahapatra is one of the most renowned Indian English poets, celebrated as the first Indian to win the Sahitya Akademi Award for English Poetry. His works "Indian Summer" and "Hunger" are considered classics in modern Indian English literature, showcasing his mastery in capturing the essence of Indian life and struggles. In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the Padma Shri in 2009, though he returned the award in 2015 as a form of protest.
Mahapatra has authored 27 books of poetry, with seven written in Oriya and 20 in English, demonstrating his versatility and prolific nature as a poet. His literary journey began with the publication of "Svayamvara and Other Poems" in 1971, followed by "Close the Sky Ten by Ten." His poem "Relationship" earned him the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award in 1981, further cementing his status as a significant figure in Indian literature.
The Trunk of Ganesha
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"The Trunk of Ganesha" is a short story about Govinda, a skilled idol maker who lives with his wife Sulochana and their three sons. Only his youngest son, Ranju, is interested in learning the art of idol making from him. Govinda is proud of his craft, but he faces a mysterious problem when making an idol of Ganesha. Every night, the trunk of the Ganesha idol breaks, despite his careful work during the day.
Govinda worries that he might be angering the gods by charging too much for the idols or by making the goddesses too slim. Determined to solve the mystery, Govinda and Ranju hide in the workshop one night to see what happens. While Ranju falls asleep, Govinda sees a shadow at the window. He discovers that a cat has been jumping on the trunk of the idol, causing it to break.
The story concludes with the simple and surprising revelation that a cat was responsible for the damage, highlighting how superstitions can often lead people to overlook simple, logical explanations.
Thank you.
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