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Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay

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Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay
Born(1898-07-23)23 July 1898
Labhpur, Birbhum district, Bengal Presidency, British India
Died14 September 1971(1971-09-14) (aged 73)
Calcutta, West Bengal, India
Occupation
  • Novelist
  • Politician
NationalityIndian
Notable awards
Spouse
Umashashi Devi
(m. 1916)
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
In office
3 April 1960 – 2 April 1966
ConstituencyNominated

Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay (23 July 1898[1] – 14 September 1971) was an Indian novelist who wrote in the Bengali language. He wrote 65 novels, 53-story-books, 12 plays, 4 essay-books, 4 autobiographies, 2 travel stories and composed several songs. He was awarded Rabindra Puraskar, Sahitya Akademi Award, Jnanpith Award, Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan.[2][3][4] He was nominated for Nobel Prize in Literature in 1971 and posthumously nominated in 1972.[5]

Biography

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Bandyopadhyay was born at his ancestral home at Labhpur village in Birbhum district, Bengal Province, British India (now West Bengal, India) to Haridas Bandyopadhyay and Prabhabati Devi.[6]

Statue of Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay, Labhpur, Birbhum, India
House of Tarashankar Bandyopadhyay at Labhpur, Birbhum

He passed the Matriculation examination from Labhpur Jadablal H. E. School in 1916 and was later admitted first to St. Xavier's College, Calcutta and then to South Suburban College (now Asutosh College). While studying in intermediate at St. Xavier's College, he joined the non-co-operation movement. He could not complete his university course due to ill health and political activism.[7] During these college years, he was also associated with a radical militant youth group and was arrested and interned in his village.[8]

He was arrested in 1930 for actively supporting the Indian independence movement, but released later that year. After that he decided to devote himself to literature.[9] In 1932, he met Rabindranath Tagore at Santiniketan for the first time. His first novel Chaitali Ghurni was published on the same year.[7]

In 1940, he rented a house at Bagbazar and brought his family to Calcutta. In 1941, he moved to Baranagar. In 1942, he presided over the Birbhum District Literature Conference and became the president of the Anti-Fascist Writers and Artists Association in Bengal. In 1944, he presided over the Kanpur Bengali Literature Conference arranged by the non-resident Bengalis living there. In 1947, he inaugurated Prabasi Banga Sahitya Sammelan held in Calcutta; presided over the Silver Jubilee Prabasi Banga Sahitya Sammelan in Bombay; and received Sarat Memorial Medal from the University of Calcutta. In 1948, he moved to his own house at Tala Park, Calcutta.[7]

In 1952, he was nominated to be a member of the legislative assembly. He was a member of the West Bengal Vidhan Parishad between 1952–60. In 1954, he took Diksha from his mother. In the same year he scripted and directed a film, Naa, based on his own story. In 1955, he was awarded the Rabindra Puraskar by the Government of West Bengal. In 1956, he received the Sahitya Akademi Award. In 1957 he visited Soviet Union to join the preparatory committee of the Afro-Asian Writers' Association and later went to Tashkent at an invitation from the Chinese Government as the leader of the Indian Writers delegation at the Afro-Asian Writers' Association.[7]

In 1959, he received the Jagattarini Gold Medal from the University of Calcutta, and presided over All India Writer's Conference in Madras. In 1960, he retired from the West Bengal Legislative Assembly but was nominated to the Parliament by the President of India. He was a member of Rajya Sabha between 1960–66. In 1962, he received Padma Shri; but the death of his son-in-law broke his heart and to keep himself diverted he took to painting and making wooden toys. In 1963, he received Sisirkumar Award. In 1966, he retired from the Parliament and presided over Nagpur Bengali Literature Conference. In 1966, he won the Jnanpith Award and in 1969, he received Padma Bhushan and was honoured with the title of Doctor of Literature by the University of Calcutta and the Jadavpur University. In 1969, he was given the fellowship of Sahitya Akademi, in 1970 became the president of Bangiya Sahitya Parishad/Vangiya Sahitya Parishad. In 1971, he gave the Nripendrachandra Memorial Lecture at Visva-Bharati University and D. L. Roy Memorial Lecture at the University of Calcutta.[7]

Bandyopadhyay died at his Calcutta residence early in the morning on 14 September 1971. His last rites were performed at the Nimtala Cremation Ground, North Calcutta.[7]

In 2021, Bandhopadhyay's ancestral home in Labhpur was converted into a museum in his memory by local residents as well as his family. It archives several personal artifacts, and photographs.[6]

Family members and relatives

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Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay was married to Umashashi Devi in 1916. Their eldest son Sanatkumar Bandyopadhyay was born in 1918; the youngest son Saritkumar Bandyopadhyay was born in 1922; the eldest daughter Ganga was born in 1924; the second daughter Bulu was born in 1926 but died in 1932; the youngest daughter Bani was born in 1932.[7]

Awards

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Bibliography

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Poetry

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  • Tripatra (1926)

Novels

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  • Chaitali Ghurni (1928)
  • Pashanpuri (1933)
  • Nilkantha (1933)
  • Raikamal (1935; The Eternal Lotus in English, 1945)
  • Prem O Prayojon (1936)
  • Aagun (1938)
  • Dhatridebata (1939)
  • Kalindi (1940)
  • Ganadebata (1943)
  • Panchagram (1944)
  • Manvantar (1944)
  • Kavi (1944)
  • Bingsho Shatabdi (1945)
  • Sandipan Pathshala (1946)
  • Jhar O Jharapata (1946)
  • Abhijan (1946)
  • Chhotoder Sandipan Pathshala (1948)
  • Padachihna (1950)
  • Uttarayan (1950)
  • Hansuli Banker Upakatha (1951)
  • Tamas Tapasya (1952)
  • Nagini Kanyar Kahini (1952)
  • Arogya Niketan (1953)
  • Champadangar Bou (1954)
  • Panchaputtali (1956)
  • Bicharak (1957)
  • Saptapadi (1958)
  • Bipasha (1959)
  • Radha (1959)
  • Manusher Mon (1959)
  • Dak Harkara (1959)
  • Mahashweta (1961)
  • Yogobhrashta (1961)
  • Naa (1961)
  • Nagarik (1961)
  • Nishipadma (1962)
  • Yatibhanga (1962)
  • Kanna (1962)
  • Kalbaishakhi (1963)
  • Ekti Charui Pakhi O Kalo Meye (1963)
  • Jangalgarh (1964)
  • Manjari Opera (1964)
  • Sanket (1964)
  • Bhubanpurer Hat (1964)
  • Basantaraag (1964)
  • Swargo-Marto (1965)
  • Bichitra (1965)
  • Ganna Begum (1965)
  • Aranyabahni (1966)
  • Hirapanna (1966)
  • Mahanagari (1966)
  • Gurudakshina (1966)
  • Shuksari Katha (1967)
  • Shakkar Bai (1967)
  • Moni Boudi (1969)
  • Chhayapath (1969)
  • Kalratri (1970)
  • Rupasi Bihangini (1970)
  • Abhinetri (1970)
  • Fariad (1971)
  • Shatabdir Mrityu (1971)
  • Kishkindhya Kando (Children's novel, 1972)
  • Janapada
  • Kirtihater Karcha

Short story collections

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  • Chhalanamoyee (1937)[12]
  • Jalsaghar (1938)
  • Rasakali (1939)
  • Tin Shunyo (1942)
  • Pratidhwani (1943)
  • Bedeni (1943)
  • Dilli Ka Laddu (1943)
  • Jadukari (1944)
  • Sthalapadma (1944)
  • Terosho Ponchash (1944)
  • Prasadmala (1945)
  • Harano Sur (1945)
  • Imarat (1947)
  • Ramdhanu (1947)
  • Tarasankarer Shrestha Galpa (1947)
  • Sri Panchami (1948)
  • Kamdhenu (1949)
  • Tarasankar Bandyopadhyayer Shreshta Galpa (1950)
  • Mati (1950)
  • Shilasan (1952)
  • Tarasankar Bandyopadhyayer Priyo Galpo (1953)
  • Swa-Nirbachito Galpo (1954)
  • Galpa-Sanchayan (1955)
  • Bisforan (1955)
  • Chhotoder Shrestha Galpa (1956)
  • Kalantar (1956)
  • Bishpathar (1957)
  • Rabibarer Asar (1959)
  • Premer Galpa (1961)
  • Paush-Lakshmi (1961)
  • Alokabhisar
  • Chirantani (1962)
  • Accident (1962)
  • Chhotoder Bhalo Bhalo Galpo (1962)
  • Tamasha (1963)
  • Galpo Panchashat (1963)
  • Ayena (1963)
  • Chinmoyee (1964)
  • Ekti Premer Galpo (1965)
  • Kishor Sanchayan (1966)
  • Tapobhanga
  • Dipar Prem (1966)
  • Nari Rahasyamayi (1967)
  • Panchakanya (1967)
  • Shibanir Adrishta (1967)
  • Gobin Singher Ghora (1968)
  • Jaya (1968)
  • Ek Pashla Brishti (1969)
  • Chhotoder Shrestha Galpo (1969)
  • Michhil (1969)
  • Unish Sho Ekattor (1971)

[12]

Drama

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  • Kalindi (1942)
  • Duipurush (1943)
  • Pather Daak (1943)
  • Dwipantar (1945)
  • Yugabiplab (1951)
  • Kavi (1957)
  • Kalratri (1957)
  • Sanghat (1962)
  • Arogya Niketan (1968)

Farce

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  • Chakmaki (1945)

Memoirs

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  • Amar Kaler Katha (1951)
  • Bichitro Smritikahini (1953)
  • Amar Sahitya Jiban, Vol. I (1953)
  • Koishor Smriti (1956)
  • Amar Sahitya Jiban, Vol. II (1962)

Travelogue

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  • Moscow-te Koyek Din (1959)

Essays

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  • Sahityer Satya (1961)
  • Bharatbarsha O Chin (1963)
  • Rabindranath O Banglar Palli (1971)

Collected works

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  • Rachana Sangraha, Vol. I (1959)
  • Rachanabali, Vol. 1–25 (Mitra & Ghosh Publishers)
  • "Galpaguchha" (Short Stories) Vol. 1-3 (Sishu Sahitya Samsad)

Discography

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List of all songs for which Lyrics were composed by Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay

Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay Discography
Year Song Singer Film/album Lyrics Music
- Aamar bajubondher jhumko dolay Sandhya Mukherjee - Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay Sudhin Dasgupta
1975 Aha bhalobese ei bujhechhi Jatileswar Mukherjee - Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay Ashoke Roy
1962 Bhai re alor tare Hemanta Mukherjee Hasuli Baaker Upokotha Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay Hemanta Mukherjee
1949 Chand dekhe kalanka Rabin Majumdar - Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay -
1957 Ei khed mor mone Rabin Majumdar Kobi Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay Anil Bagchi
1962 Gopane moner kotha Hemanta Mukherjee Hasuli Baaker Upokotha Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay Hemanta Mukherjee
1954 Kamal mukh shukeye geche Manabendra Mukherjee Chaapa Dangar Bou Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay Manabendra Mukherjee
1970 Maran tomar Manna Dey Manjari Opera Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay -
1968 Milana mdhu madhuri bhora Manabendra Mukherjee Ramya Geeti, All India Radio Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay Jnan Prakash Ghosh
1962 Mora jor paye chalibo Hemanta Mukherjee and Debabrata Biswas Hasuli Baaker Upokotha Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay Hemanta Mukherjee
1957 O amar moner manush go Rabin Majumdar Kobi Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay Anil Bagchi
- O hay chokher chhotay Rabin Majumdar - Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay -
1958 Ogo tomar shesh bicharer ashay Manne Dey Dak Harkara Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay Sudhin Dasgupta
1975 Paran bodhua tumi female voice Kobi Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay Anil Bagchi
1968 Praner radhar kon thikana Manabendra Mukherjee Ramya Geeti, All India Radio Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay Jnan Prakash Ghosh
1975 Praner radhar kon thikana Jatileswar Mukherjee - Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay Ashoke Roy
1954 Shiba he shiba he Manabendra Mukherjee Chaapa Dangar Bou Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay Manabendra Mukherjee

References

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  1. ^ Documentary on tarashankar Bandopadhyay on YouTube
  2. ^ "Birbhum | Dhatridebata, the ancestral home of writer Tarashankar Bandopadhyay, to be renovated - The Statesman". The Statesman. 28 July 2018. Archived from the original on 29 March 2020. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  3. ^ "Tarashankar Bandyopadhyay (Author of কবি)". Archived from the original on 31 December 2019. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  4. ^ "Bandyopadhyay, Tarashankar - Banglapedia". Archived from the original on 8 June 2020. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  5. ^ "Nomination Archive - Tarashankar Bandyopadhyay". NobelPrize.org. April 2020. Archived from the original on 26 September 2022. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  6. ^ a b "Labhpur Dhatridebata Museum: A small homage to a giant of Bengali literature". www.telegraphindia.com. Archived from the original on 1 December 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g Devi, Mahashweta (1983) [1975]. Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay. Makers of Indian Literature (2nd ed.). New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi. pp. 77–79.
  8. ^ Bardhan, Kalpana, ed. (1990). Of Women, Outcastes, Peasants, and Rebels: A Selection of Bengali Short Stories. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press. p. 22. Archived from the original on 21 September 2018. Retrieved 21 September 2018.[ISBN missing]
  9. ^ Sengupta, Subodh Chandra and Bose, Anjali (editors), (1976/1998), Samsad Bangali Charitabhidhan (Biographical dictionary) Vol I, (in Bengali), Kolkata: Sahitya Samsad, ISBN 81-85626-65-0, p 195
  10. ^ "Jnanpith Laureates Official listings". Jnanpith Website. Archived from the original on 13 October 2007.
  11. ^ "Padma Awards" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 October 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  12. ^ a b jalsagar
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