Bharatchandra Ray

Bharatchandra Ray Biography

Bharatchandra Ray, simply called Bharatchandra was a poet from Bengal in the 18^th century. He wrote both Bengali and Sanskrit poet and was also known as a composer. Annadamangal, also known as Annapurnamangal is his most celebrated work in 3 parts. The work was completed in 1752. Gangashtaka in Sanskrit and Rasamanjari, Satyanarayan Panchali in Bengali are other noted works. Chandi Natak was another notable work which remained incomplete. He served as the Court poet of Maharaja Krishnachandra and was the first Bengali poet to be identified as people’s poet.

He was born in 1712 in Penro-Bhurshut village of Howrah District, West Bengal. Narendranarayan Ray and Bhavani Devi were his parents. It was during his stay at Ramchandra Munshi's house at Debanandapur of Hoogly, he learnt Sanskrit and Persian. He completed his education and worked as a Mokhtar for his living. He lost his ancestral property in a dispute. He married a girl of his choice. That too, led to the loss of his ancestral property and later he spent his life wandering. He stayed at different places and later returned to Bengal.

He resided in the house of Indranarayan Chaudhury, the Diwan of the French government. It was during this time when Maharaja Krishnachandra of Krishnanagar, drawn to his talents appointed him as his court poet. He was also bestowed with the title Raygunakar and his financial condition improved. Maharaja gifted him a huge property in Mulajore. Annada Mangal is his most noted work. In three parts – the book narrates the stories of goddess Annapurna, Vidya and Sundar and the final one, Man Singh I. As a musician he is widely regarded as the true representative of translator of Bengali music from medieval to modern age.

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Updated: June 27, 2014