Dwijendralal Ray

Dwijendralal Ray Biography

Dwijendralal Ray - one of the most important figures in early modern Bengali literature is a Bengali poet, playwright, and musician. He is shortly called D. L. Ray. He was known for his Hindu mythological and nationalist historical plays and songs known as Dwijendrageeti or the Songs of Dwijendralal - sub-genre of Bengali Music. More than 500 compositions have been added in this name. Dhana Dhanya Pushpa and Banga Amar Janani Amar are the most popular compositions of D. L. Ray.

Dwijendralal Ray was born in Krishnanagar, Nadia in a Bengali aristocratic family in 19 July 1863. He was the seventh child of Kartikeyachandra Ray, Dewan of Krishnanagar palace. His mother was a descendant of Vaishnava ascetic Advaita Acharya. During childhood he was thoughtful and a lover of nature, yet an introvert. He passed the Entrance Examination in 1878 and First Arts Examination in 1880 from Krishnanagar Collegiate School. He completed graduation from Hoogly College and post graduation in English from Presidency College. His first publication was Aryagatha Part I which included his written poems between 12 and 17 years and this work got published in the year 1882.

In 1884, Ray got a state scholarship for study of agriculture in England. His description of the sea-voyage and social life of England were serialised in a weekly named Pataka and later published by his brothers as Bileter Patra. After obtaining a diploma in F.R.A.S., he returned to India in 1886. He was appointed as a Deputy Magistrate in 1886 and has later worked in several departments. After retirement, Ray started editing a journal named Bharatbarsh. But he died within two months of his retirement. He died of a sudden attack of epilepsy on May 17, 1913.

Published: N/A

Updated: March 27, 2014