[Photo by Biswarup Ganguly, CC BY 3.0]
A renowned Bengali writer who emerged in the last half of the twentieth century. He was born on 7 September 1934 (Friday) (age 78 years when he died) in Faridpur, Bengal Presidency, British India (now Bangladesh).
In the four decades following his death in 2012, he was widely known as one of the foremost figures in Bengali literature among the global Bengali-speaking population.
This Bengali-speaking Indian writer has written many memorable works as a poet, novelist, short story writer, editor, journalist, and columnist. At the same time, he was modern and romantic.
Common people memorize many verses of his poems. Sunil Gangopadhyay has used pseudonyms like “Nillohit,” “Sanatan Pathak,” and “Neel Upadhyay.”
| Bio/Wiki | |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Sunil Gangopadhyay |
| Known for | Writings in Bengali Language |
| Period | 1953–2012 |
| Profession | Poet & Novelist |
| Personal Life | |
| Date of Birth | 7 September, 1934 (Friday) |
| Date of Death | 23 October, 2012 |
| Age When Died | 78 years |
| Birthplace | Faridpur, Bengal Presidency, British India (now Bangladesh) |
| Place of Death | Kolkata, West Bengal, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Hometown | Faridpur |
| Language | Bengali |
| Zodiac sign | Virgo |
| Religion | Hindu |
| School | N/A |
| Collage/University | Surendranath College, Dum Dum Motijheel College, City College, Kolkata |
| Educational Qualification | Graduate in Bengali |
| Signature |  |
| Hobbies | Writing, Traveling |
| Physical Stats | |
| Height (approx.) | in centimeters– N/A in meters– N/A in feet inches– N/A |
| Weight | in Kilograms- N/A in Pounds- N/A |
| Eye Colour | Brown |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Literary Career | |
| First Writing(s) | Poetry: Eka ebong Koyekjon (একা এবং কয়েকজন) (1958) |
| Total Books | 200 |
| Pen name | Nil Lohit, Sanatan Pathak, and Nil Upadhyay |
| Famous Works | First Light (Prathama Alo), Those Days (Sei Somoy), Kakababu |
| Awards & Achievements | 1972: Ananda Puraskar 1979: "National poet" by Akashbani Kolkata 1983: Bankim Puraskar for the book Sei Somoy 1984: Sahitya Akademi Award for the book Sei Somoy 1989: I) Ananda Puraskar for the book Poorba-Pashchim, II) Sahitya Setu puroskar 1999: Annada-Snowcem puroskar for the story Nil Lohiter Golpo 2003: Annadashankar puroskar 2004: Saraswati Samman for Prothom Alo 2011: The Hindu Literary Prize, shortlist, The Fakir 2012: Sera Bangali Lifetime Achievement Award by Star Ananda |
| Films Based on his Works | Pratidwandi and Aranyer Din Ratri (Satyajit Ray), Sabuj Dwiper Raja (1979) (Tapan Sinha), Mishor Rahasya (2013) (Srijit Mukherji), Yeti Obhijaan (2017) (Srijit Mukherji), Kakababur Protyaborton (2020) (Srijit Mukherji) |
| Family | |
| Parents | Father– Kalipada Gagopadhyay Mother– Mira Gagopadhyay |
| Spouse | Swati Bandopadhyay (m. 1967) |
| Children | Souvik Gangopadhyay (b. 1967) |
Biography
Sunil Gangopadhyay was born in Faridpur, present-day Bangladesh. He moved to Calcutta when he was only four years old. In 1953, he started editing a poetry magazine called Krittibas. His first book of poetry, Alone and a Few (একা এবং কয়েকজন), was published in 1958, and his first novel was published in 1986.
Some of his notable books are Ami Kivabe Beche Achi (আমি কী রকম ভাবে বেঁচে আছি), Jugalbandi (with Shakti Chatterjee), Hotat Neerar Jonno (হঠাৎ নীরার জন্য), Shyambazar Morer Adda (শ্যামবাজারের মোড়ের আড্ডা), Ordhek Jibon (অর্ধেক জীবন) (Half Life), Arjun, Prothom Alo, Sei Somoy, Vanu and Ranu, etc.
In children’s literature, he is the author of a popular detective series called “Kakababu-Santu.” Before his death, he was the President of the Sahitya Academy, the national literary body of India, and the West Bengal Children’s Academy.
Family
Sunil Gangopadhyay was from a Hindu family. His father’s name was Kalipada Gagopadhyay, and her mother was Mira Gangopadhyay. Swati Bandopadhyay was her wife, and he also had a son named Souvik Gangopadhyay.
Education
Sunil Ganguly had a Graduate Degree in Bengali. She studied at 3 colleges they are Surendranath College, Dum Dum Motijheel College, City College, and Kolkata, all of which are under Calcutta University.
Literary Career
Sunil’s father, Kalipada Gagopadhyay, told him with a book of Tennyson‘s poems that he would translate two poems every day. It was done so that he could not go out at noon. He did so. He used to translate poems at noon with his father’s command.
When the translation became boring, he started writing himself. The poem was addressed to his childhood sweetheart and was published when he sent it to the country.
Next, he wrote many Poems, Novels, Short stories, and others. His writing is really popular and creative, so many films and TV shows are made in his works. Here are some of his popular works.
Novels
Anno Jiboner Shad, Shopno Somvob, Suniler Satdin, Rani O Obinash, Kothay Alo, Sudur Jhornar Jole, Ekti Rat Tinti Jibon, Jomoj Kahini, Sei Somoy, Pratham Alo, Poorba-Pashchim, Hirok Deepthi, Unmochoner Muhurte, Adhar Raater Atithi, Aakash Paatal, Asroy, Alpona Aar Shikha, Achena Manush and many more.
Poetry
Hathat Nirar Janya, Bhorbelar Upohar, Sada Prishtha Tomar Sange, Sei Muhurte Nira, Kaydata Shikhe Nebe, Jodi Nirbason Dao, Pagol Kota.
Autobiography
Ardhek Jibon Chabir Deshe, Kabitar Deshe.
He is also famous for his Travelogue, Kakababu series, Translated books, and other things.
Awards or Achievements
In 2002, Sunil Gangopadhyay was elected Sheriff of Calcutta. He was awarded the Ananda Award in 1982 and 1989 and the Sahitya Academy Award in 1985.
He got many awards because of his great works; here are some of them: Ananda Puraskar, Bankim Puraskar for the book Sei Somoy, Sahitya Akademi Award for the book Sei Somoy, Sahitya Setu Puroskar, Annadashankar Puroskar, Saraswati Samman, The Hindu Literary Prize, Sera Bangali Lifetime Achievement Award and many more. You can read it in detail above.
Death
He died on 23 October 2012 due to a heart attack. On April 4, 2003, Sunil Gangopadhyay donated his wife’s body to Ganadarpan in Kolkata.
But his body was cremated at the behest of Souvik Gangopadhyay, the only son of Sunil Gangopadhyay. His last rites were performed on 25 October 2012 under the management of the Government of West Bengal.
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