Dox

Jean Verdi Salomon Razakandraina (1913–1978), commonly known as Dox, was a Malagasy writer and poet considered one of the most important literary figures in the country's history. He is principally renowned for his poetry and plays, but was also a painter, wrote and performed musical compositions, and translated several major French and English language works into Malagasy. His works have formed part of the language arts curriculum in Madagascar at every grade level since the country regained independence in 1960.

Dox began writing in 1930 while studying at a fine arts school in Antananarivo, where fellow students gave him the nickname "Dox". In 1932, after briefly conceding to his father's wish that he study medicine, Dox dedicated himself fully to the arts and joined with other notable Malagasy poets in advancing the movement ('search for lost values'), launched by Jean-Joseph Rabearivelo, Charles Rajoelisolo and Ny Avana Ramanantoanina. His work during this period reflected the movement's aim to reaffirm the value of Malagasy identity, which had been eroded under the influence of the French colonial administration. In 1941, he printed his first collection of poems, , which was written in the Malagasy language. When a major nationalist uprising erupted in 1947, Dox rallied behind the and suffered a gunshot wound during a protest. He also actively took part in the student protests of 1972 that brought down the Tsiranana administration. In 1971 he published his only compilation of French language poems. Throughout his career, he produced nine poem anthologies, numerous books in prose, and sixteen plays featuring folk tales, Biblical stories or Malagasy historical themes, in addition to countless privately commissioned works.

Throughout his life, Dox enjoyed strong popular support for his work, which combined elements of romanticism and the sensibilities of traditional Malagasy poetry and proverbs. He established himself as a leader in the promotion of Malagasy literary arts, co-founding the Union of Malagasy Poets and Writers and Tsiry, an association dedicated to publishing the works of creative Malagasy youth. Dox also served as President of the Committee of United Malagasy Artists, Vice President of the Andrianampoinimerina Academy, and a member of the . He died in Antananarivo on 14 June 1978.

Biography

Childhood Jean Verdi Salomon Razakandraina was born on 13 January 1913 in Manankavaly, Madagascar, to an observant Christian family of the noble class. His father, Samuel Salomon, was a medical doctor and frequently traveled to care for patients. His mother, Raolina, moved to the nearby town of Antsirabe with young Jean Verdi, who was often ill as a child. There she entrusted his education to her father, a farmer and schoolteacher, Razakandrainy's grandfather taught him the history of their royal family line and the people of the Anjanapara valley in southern Imerina. This education instilled in the child a traditional love of the land, respect for ancestral traditions, and appreciation for the beauty of the Malagasy countryside.

Style and influences Academic Dominique Ranaivoson characterized his poetry in two broad categories. The first category are poems that are imbued with rich detail of daily life, using short stanzas and simple vocabulary. These poems recall the Malagasy poetic tradition of with their emphasis on nostalgia and longing. The second category consists of poems that offer philosophical musings on the nature of identity, and are rich with Malagasy proverbs and Madagascar's symbolic places and objects. The majority of the poetic works written by Dox were in the form of sonnets. He would frequently compose poems spontaneously and give them away to friends or passers by. His work often explored the theme of "Malagasy love" , and he was among the first Malagasy poets to write on themes related to sexuality and desire. The themes of Malagasy identity and everyday beauty also feature prominently in his work. According to writer François-Xavier Razafimahatratra, the former theme allowed the poet to express his personal vision of the world, while the latter allowed him to use poetry to educate the Malagasy public.

Dox wrote prolifically over the course of his career, yielding nine poem anthologies, numerous books in prose, and sixteen plays along Biblical themes or Malagasy history and folk tales. In addition, he wrote a number of plays on commission for various clients, with many commissioned by Boy Scout troupes, although these have since been lost. His translation from French to Malagasy of three major Western novels was significant because they enriched Malagasy literature by introducing elements of the novel form that had never before been attempted in Malagasy language. These efforts demonstrated to other Malagasy language writers the versatility of the language and the possibility that it could be used for any literary form.

Legacy

The (1994) describes Dox as the "Verlaine or Baudelaire of Madagascar". The works of Dox have formed part of the public school curriculum in Madagascar from primary to university level since independence in 1960. Similarly, many of the songs composed and performed by Dox are considered classics in Madagascar.

Works

Poetry: Ny Hirako. 1941. Hira Va? Antananarivo: Imprimerie Faneva, 1949; Imarivolanitra, 1970. Rakimalala. Antananarivo: Imprimerie Mazava, 1955. Ny Fitiavany. 1957. Fahatsiarovan-tena. 1958. Telomiova. 1959. Folihala. 1968. Dindona Fitia. 1973; 2005. Chants Capricorniens. 1975; Éditions du CIDST, 1991; 1995.

Theatrical plays: Amboninkazo. 1945. Apokalipsy. 1957. Amina Batsola, tantara mampangitakitaka nisy marina tokoa taminʹny andron-dRanavalona III. Antananarivo: Imprimerie Mazava, 1957. Mavo Handray Fanjakana. 1958. Tsimihatsaka. 1960. Savik'Ombalahy. 1960. Ny Ombalahibemaso. 1960. Ny Andron'Andrianampoinimerina. 1961. Andriamihaja. 1961. Rasalama Martiora. 1961. Rainandriamampandry. 1962. Ataon-karena inona aho? Bedohoka sy Rondro ary Imalo. 1962. Varavaran'ny Fahazavana. 1968. Tritriva. (sd). Ravahiny Maritiora. (sd). Estera. (sd).

Prose: Izy Mirahavavy. 1946; 1967; 2005. Solemita, na Tsantan-ny fitia (namboarina tamin-ny tononkiran-i Solomona). Antananarivo: Imprimerie Faneva, 1949. Izy Mirahalahy. 1958. Mangidy nefa mamy. 1962. Iarivo. 1965. Voninkazon'ny tanteraka. Antananarivo: Imprimerie Mazava, 1955.

Discography: Fo mihira, UPEM-HAVATSA poets reciting the works of Dox. Audio CD. France, 2006. Dox, Sorajavona. Audio CD. Label Bleu, Antananarivo.

Translations by Dox: French to Malagasy language: El Cid, Pierre Corneille: Ilay Andrianina, performed in 1958, published in 1965. Horace, Pierre Corneille. Polyeucte, Pierre Corneille. Andromaque, Racine: Ny Avelon'ny vady lalaina sa ny Ain'ny menaky ny aina?

English to Malagasy language: Itomanio, ry fireneko (Cry, the Beloved Country), Alan Paton, (1958). Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare (sd).