Manik Bandopadhyay

Manik Bandopadhyay Biography

Manik Bandopadhyay was one of the leading writers of Bengali fiction works. He is better known as a novelist. During a short lifespan of 48 years, he contributed 36 novels and 177 short stories to Bengali literature. Putul Nacher Itikatha, Shahartali, Padma Nadir Majhi and Chatushkone are his noted fiction works. He is regarded as one among the pioneers of modern Bengali literature. He has published 57 volumes of his works. Throughout his life, he struggled with poverty and epilepsy and it resulted in his resorted to alcohol and went to comma on 2 December 1956. He died next day aged only 48 years.

Manik Bandopadhay was born as Prabodh Kumar Bandhopaddhay on 19 May 1908 in a small town, Dumka of Bihar. His pen name was derived from his pet name 'Manik'. His parents are Harihar Bandopadhyay and Niroda Devi and he had 13 siblings. His father was a government official who had official tours in undivided Bengal and thus young Manik was exposed to Bengal and its life. After schooling he took degree in Mathematics. In 1938 Bandopadhyay started his career as the Headmaster of Mymensingh Teachers Training School. Yet writing was his only source of income. Thus throughout his life, he struggled meeting both ends. He has also served as an editor for a couple of magazines for a short period.

His first short story published was "Atashimami” in 1928 in the magazine Bichitra, which created great sensations in Bengali circle. Later he began to publish his novels and short stories in magazines. Bichitra, Bangasree, Purbasha, AnandaBazaar Patrika, Jugantor, Satyajug, Probashi, Desh, Chaturanga, NoroNari, Notun Jiban, Bosumati, Golp-Bharati, Mouchak, Pathshala, Rang-Mashal, NoboShakti, Swadhinata, Agami, Kalantar, Parichaya, Notun Sahitya, Diganta, Sanskriti, Mukhopotro, Provati, Ononnya, Ultorath, Elomelo, Bharatbarsha, Modhyabitta, Sharodi, Sonar Bangla, Agami, Ononya, Krishak, Purnima, Rupantar and Swaraj are his noted works. Diba-Ratrir Kabya in 1935 and Padma Nadir Majhi and Putul Nacher Itikotha in 1936 established him as one of the pioneers of Bengali novelists.

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Updated: January 26, 2014