Dox (poet)

**Jean Verdi Salomon Razakandraina** (1913–1978), dem commonly know am as **Dox**, na he be a Malagasy writer den poet dem consider one of de most important literary figures insyd de country ein history. He be principally renowned for ein poetry den plays, buh na he sanso be a painter, he wrep den perform musical compositions, wey he translate chaw major French den English language works go Malagasy. Na ein works form part of de language arts curriculum insyd Madagascar for every grade level since de country regain independence insyd 1960.

## Biography

### Kiddie time
Na dem born Jean Verdi Salomon Razakandraina for 13 January 1913 insyd Manankavaly, Madagascar, to an observant Christian family of de noble class. Na ein poppie, Samuel Salomon, be a medical doctor wey he frequently travel make he care for patients. Ein mommie, Raolina, move go de nearby town of Antsirabe plus young Jean Verdi, wey na he often dey ill as a kiddie. Der she entrust ein education to ein poppie, a farmer den schoolteacher, wey provide am ein elementary education, teach am Malagasy proverbs den stories, wey he introduce am to Christianity, den teach am to paint den play music. Na Razakandrainy ein grandpoppie teach am de history of dema royal family line den de people of de Anjanapara valley insyd southern Imerina. Dis education instill insyd de kiddie a traditional love of de land, respect give ancestral traditions den appreciation for de beauty of de Malagasy countryside.

### Late period
Na dem name Dox Presido of de *Komitin'ny Artista Malagasy Mitambatra* (K.A.MA.MI., Committee of United Malagasy Artists) den Vice Pee of de Andrianampoinimerina Academy, wey he cam turn member of de *Académie Malgache* for 28 August 1975.

For 14 June 1978, an unknown individual bump into Dox for de stairway between de Analakely den Ambondrona neighborhoods of Antananarivo. De poet lost ein balance wey he die from injuries he sustain while tumbling down de stairs.  He be interred insyd de family tomb for Anjanapara, chaw kilometers outsyd Antsirabe.

## Legacy

De *Dictionnaire universel des littératures* (1994) dey describe Dox as de "Verlaine anaa Baudelaire of Madagascar." De works of Dox form part of de public school curriculum insyd Madagascar from primary go university level since independence insyd 1960. Similarly, chaw of de songs compose den perform by Dox dem consider dem classics insyd 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).

## Read further
* Ranaivoson, Dominique. *Dox: écrivain et musicien à Madagascar.* Saint-Maur-des-Fossés: Sépia; Antananarivo: Tsipika, 2009. 
* Randrianarisoa-Rasendra, Irène. *Dox, poésie malgache et dialogue des cultures* preface by Elie Rajaonarison; Antananarivo: Tsipika, 2011.
* Takila Voafantina, Florilège. *Dox, l'écrivain aux multiples talents.* Antananarivo: Tsipika, 2003.

## References



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