Nissim Ezekiel

Biography

Nissim Ezekiel was one of the most influential figures in post-independence Indian English literature. He is often hailed as the father of modern Indian English poetry for his pioneering role in shaping a new poetic voice that was both distinctly Indian and confidently modern.

🌿 Early Life and Education

Nissim Ezekiel was born on December 16, 1924, in Mumbai (then Bombay) into a Bene Israel Jewish family. He was educated at Wilson College, Mumbai, and later went to Birkbeck College, London, where he studied philosophy. His exposure to Western literature and philosophy greatly influenced his literary outlook.

✍️ Literary Career

Ezekiel’s first collection of poems, “A Time to Change” (1952), marked the beginning of modern Indian English poetry. His later collections — including “Sixty Poems” (1953), “The Unfinished Man” (1960), “The Exact Name” (1965), and “Hymns in Darkness” (1976) — showcase his development as a poet of precision, irony, and deep humanity.

His poetry reflects themes such as urban life, alienation, identity, love, and faith, often with gentle humor and self-awareness. He also wrote poems that satirized the Indian use of English, such as “The Professor” and “Goodbye Party for Miss Pushpa T.S.”, which remain widely read for their wit and cultural insight.

Apart from poetry, Ezekiel was a critic, playwright, and editor. He contributed essays on art and literature, worked as an editor for several journals, and taught English literature at various institutions.

🌺 Style and Themes

Ezekiel’s poetry is known for its clarity, irony, and disciplined craftsmanship. He wrote about everyday life in India — its humor, contradictions, and cultural quirks — while maintaining a universal human perspective. His work often combined intellectual depth with emotional honesty.

🏅 Awards and Recognition

Sahitya Akademi Award (1983) for Latter-Day Psalms

Recipient of the Padma Shri for his contribution to literature

Widely regarded as a mentor to younger poets like Dom Moraes, A.K. Ramanujan, and R. Parthasarathy

🕊️ Legacy

Nissim Ezekiel passed away on January 9, 2004, in Mumbai. His work marked a turning point in Indian English poetry, shifting it from imitation of colonial styles to a mature, Indian idiom that reflected the nation’s postcolonial reality.

Through his sharp observations, understated humor, and commitment to honesty in art, Ezekiel continues to inspire generations of poets and readers as the pioneer of modern Indian English verse.