Leela Majumdar

Leela Majumdar Biography

Leela Majumdar was a noted writer of Children’s books, belonging to Bengali language. Apart from short stories and translations, she has also done a few illustrations and she has also served as an editor of several books. Pakdandi, Sreemoti, Holde Pakhir Palok, Tong Ling, Maaku Gama, Cheena Lanthan, Monimala, Bagher Chhokh, Bok Dharmik, Taka Gaachh, Lal Neel Deslai, Basher Phul, Moyna, Moni Manil, Naatghar, Podi Pishir Bormi Baksho, Boddi Nather Bori, Din Dupure, Batash Bari, Bagh Shikari Bamun, Baghyar Galpo, Chhotoder Srestho Galpo etc are a few among her popular works. Bak Badh Pala earned her Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Holde Pakhir Palok won the state award for children's literature and Aar Konokhane earned Rabindra Puraskar. She passed away at the age of 99.

She belonged to the famous Roy Chowdhury family of Garpar Road, in north Kolkata. She was born in Kolkata in 1908 as the daughter of Surama Devi and Pramada Ranjan Ray. She was born into a family of literals and many of them are artists also. She was adopted by famous Bengali artist and musician Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury, who was her paternal uncle. She completed matriculation from St. John's Diocesan School, Kolkata with second rank. She excelled in her academics and completed graduation and PG in English with first rank from University. Many of her family members excelled in children’s literature and Leela too earned name in this field.

After PG she started her career as a teacher in Darjeeling in the year 1931. She also worked in Santiniketan for a year after being invited by Tagore. Though she joined Asutosh College in Kolkata, she gave up her teaching career to fully concentrate on to her literal career. She also worked in AIR for 8 years as a producer. Her first story, Lakkhi chhele was published in 1922. It was published in Sandesh, the magazine launched by her uncle, Upendra Kishore Roy Chowdhury. Since then she frequently contributed something to the magazine. Among her published books, her memoirs Aar Konokhane and Pakdandi, and her books for children, like Padipishir Barmibaksho, Holde Pakhir Palok and Shob Bhuture makes her a popular writer of modern times.

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Updated: April 03, 2016