It is hard to venture into Indian literature without getting familiar with Bengali writers. Starting from the time of British India till now, Bengali writers have managed to ink down every revolutionary issue and societal situation. In this article we are going to read about famous writers from West Bengal, their life, best works and why are they so popular even now.
Famous Writers from West Bengal | Well Known Bengali Writers:
Rabindranath Tagore
Every time we talk about the best Bengali writers, Tagore’s name will be the first mentioned. His name is known to all and every Indian, if not because of his popular novels but as the composer of the Indian national anthem. He is also the writer of Bangladesh’s national anthem ‘Amar Shonar Bangla’. Tagore contributed immensely to the independence of the country and the people. He was not only a writer but he was also a painter and a social reformer. He altered the shape of Bengali literature with modern thinking during the late 19th century. In the year 1913, he became the first non-European writer to receive a Nobel Prize. He is often addressed as the ‘Bard of Bengal’. He is also the founder of Visva Bharati University. Some of his notable works are Gitanjali, Gora, and Ghare Baire.
Bankim Chandra Chatterjee
A novelist, poet, and inspiring activist during the Independence Movement, Bankim Chandra is known as the ‘Emperor of Bengali Literature (Sahitya Samrat). Chatterjee was the composer of Vande Mataram. Some of his notable works are Ananda Math, Bishabriksha, Devi Chaudhurani, Kapalkundala, and Durgeshnandini.
Mahasweta Devi
A writer and a leftist who worked for the empowerment and the rights of tribal people of not only West Bengal but also of other states such as Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Bihar. Some of her remarkable works are Aranyer Adhikar, Titu Mir, and Hajar Churashir Maa. She was awarded several notable words such as Sahitya Akademi Award, Padma Vibhushan, and Padma Shri.
Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay
Sarat Chandra, pen name Anila Devi is known for his themes based on which he wrote his famous novels – the tragedy, struggle, lifestyle of the people residing in the village, and social issues that prevailed during that period. Some of his notable works are Devdas, Parineeta, Srikanta, Choritrohin, and Pother Dabi.
Ashapurna Devi
A prominent feminist writer of Bengali literature Ashapurna Devi was awarded several awards such as Sahitya Akademi Fellowship and Padma Shri. At the age of 13, her poem Bairer Dak (The Call from the Outside) was published. Some of her notable works are Bakul Katha, Prothom Protishruti, and Subarnolata, all three are about the endless struggle of women for their equal rights.
Michael Madhusudan Dutt
Dutt was the first major poet of modern Bengali literature. His popular work Meghnad Badh Kavya is a tragic novel based on the famous Ramayana, centering on a gallant figure named Indrajit, Ravan’s son. His other themes were grief and ache of love as spoken by women.
Manik Bandopadhyay
He is regarded as one of the most notable literary figures of 20th century Bengali literature. He was a notable activist. He read Freud, Stalin, Lenin, and Marx and finally in 1944 joined the Communist Party and remained a member till demise. His notable works include Janani, Dibaratrir Kavya, Padma Nadir Majhi, Putul Nacher Itikatha, and more.
Shakti Chattopadhyay
Shakti Chattopadhyay is popular for his realistic portrayal of rural life. Some of his works raise questions on the environmental crisis and with the help of his poems, he urged to keep nature safe. His popular works are Abani Bari Achho and Jete Pari Kintu Keno Jabo.
Girish Chandra Ghosh
Girish Ghosh was not only a Bengali writer; he was also a director and actor. He was highly accountable for the rise of the golden age in Bengali theatre. He wrote about 40 plays. He co-founded the first Bengali professional theatre company named the Great National Theatre Company. Later in life, Ghosh became a disciple of Sri Ramakrishna.
Jibanananda Das
Das is known as the ‘poet of beautiful Bengal’ (Rupashi Banglar Kabi). After Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam, Das is the most read writer in Bangladesh and India. He was not popular when he was alive but today he is regarded as one of the best poets in the Bengali language. Some of his notable works are ‘Banalata Sen’, ‘Akashlina’, ‘Bodh’, and Rupashi Bangla.
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