Kaliprasanna Singha

Kaliprasanna Singha Biography

Kaliprasanna Singha was a noted writer of Bengali literature who lived during the period - 23 February 1841 - 24 July 1870, though his Date of birth is still debatable. He is most remembered for the translation of great Hindu epic – Mahabharata to Bengali. Hutom Pyanchar Naksha is another noted work which portrayed the picture of the 19 th century babudom in Kolkata.  He was also known as a philanthropist. He died on 24 July 1870 at the age of 30, leaving behind his huge contributions. In his short life span of about 30 years, he was an outstanding person with many remarkable qualities. He was dedicated to the welfare of the society and spent a lot of money from his pockets even for the circulation of his translation of Mahabharata.

His date of birth is still debatable. It’s regarded as either 23^rd or 24^th of February. Kaliprasanna was born in the renowned "Singha" family of Jorasanko in North Kolkata. His grandfather Jay Krishna was one of the directors of Hindu College. He lost his father at the age of 6. Babu Hara Chandra Ghosh was his local guardian after his father’s death. He had a power to recollect anything that he would see or hear even once since childhood and was an extra ordinary child. He founded Vidyotsahini sabha at the age of 14. Even Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar was astonished to see him socially mingling with elders. He married twice. Following the death of his first wife, he married Sharatkumari, granddaughter of Raja Prasanna Narayan Deb.

He studied at Hindu college and learnt English, Bengali and Sanskrit at home. Apart from lierrary contributions, he was associated with theater also.  Babu (1854), Sabitri Satyaban (1858) and Malati Madhab (1856) are his noted plays. He has been a part of various magazines like Vidyotsahini Patrika, Paridarshak, Sarvatattwa Prakashika and Bibidhartha Samgraha. He also advocated widow remarriage and declared a reward of Rs 1000 to every man who married a widow.

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Updated: January 16, 2014