...there is one incident which of course I shall never forget and that is with reference to the introduction of blank verse into our language. Of this, no doubt, you are aware, but you wish me to give some details: well, here they are.
It was a fine evening when we were sitting in the lower hall of the Belgachia Villa where the stage had been set up for the performance of the ‘Ratnavali.’ Both the brothers, Rajahs Protap Chunder Singh and Issur Chunder Singh were there, and so was our favourite poet. It was a rehearsal night, and the amateurs were coming in one by one; the conversation gradually turned upon the subject of Drama in general and of Bengali Drama in particular. Michael said that “no real improvement in the Bengali Drama could be expected until blank verse was introduced into it.” I replied that “it did not seem to me possible to introduce this kind of verse into our language, for I held that the very nature and construction of the Bengali language, was ill adapted for the stately measure and sonorous cadence of blank verse.”
“I do not agree with you,” said he, “and I think it is well worth making an attempt.” “You remember,” I added, “how once the late Issur Chunder Gupta made a caricature of blank verse in Bengali, beginning with the lines.
“কবিতা কমলা কলা পাকা যেন কাঁদি, ইচ্ছা হয় যত পাই পেট ভরে খাই।” “Oh!” said he, “it is no reason because old Issur Gupta could not manage to write blank verse that nobody else will be able to do it.” “But,” I said, “if I am correctly informed the French, which is no doubt a more copious and elaborate language than our own, has not in it any poem in blank verse. No wonder then that the Bengali should be found unsuited to this kind of versification.” “You forget, my dear fellow,” he replied, “that the Bengali is born of the Sanskrit than which a more copious and elaborate language does not exist.” “True,” said I, “but as yet the Bengali seems to be a weakling though born of a healthy and robust mother.” “Write me down an ass,” said he langhingly, “if I am not able to convince you of your error within a short time.” Then looking sharply at me he added “and what if I succeed in proving to you that the Bengali is quite capable of the blank verse form of poetry.”
“Why then,” I replied, “I shall willingly stand all the expenses of printing and publishing any poem which you may write in blank verse.” *** “Done,” said he clapping his hands,
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