Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay

Date of Birth : Sep 12, 1894
Place of Birth : Bengal



Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay was a Bengali novelist and writer. He is most well known for the epic Pather Panchali (The story of the road), made into the memorable film trilogy by Satyajit Ray. Bibhutibhushan was born on 12 September 1894 at his maternal uncle's house in Ghoshpara-Muraripur village, in the 24-Parganasof Bengal. His father, Mahananda Bandyopadhyay, was a sanskrit scholar and a 'Kathak', one who tells stories for a living. Bibhutibhushan's early days were spent in abject poverty. Fighting which, he completed his Bachelor's degree in History. However, since he could not afford it, he did not enrol for the Master's course. The economic burden of his family rested squarely on his shoulders. He had married in the meantime. but his wife, Gouri Devi died at child birth after only a year of conjugal life. The tragic theme of death and loneliness is a recurrent factor in Bibhutibhushan's early writings. Before he became a writer, Bibhutibhushan took up various jobs to make ends meet. He taught school, became a secretary, managed an estate. Finally, in 1921 he published his first short story, 'Upekshita', in Probashi, one of the leading literary magazines of Bengal at that time. However, it was not until 1928, when his first novel, "Pather Panchali" was published, that Bibhutibhushan got critical attention. With 'Pather Panchali' Bibhutibhushan became, instantly, a prominent name in Bengali literature. At the age of 46 Bibhutibhushan married Rama Chattopadhayay after an unlikely love affair between a woman and a man over double her age. In 1947 she gave birth to their son, Taradas. On 1 November, 1950, Bibhutibhushan died from a coronary attack while staying at Ghatshila. He was fifty-six.

His Writings :

Pather Panchali (The story of the road)
Chander Pahar (Mountain of Moon)
Aronyak (In the Forest)
Aporajito (Unvanquished- Sequel to "Pather Panchali")
Heera Manik Jwale
Maraner Danka Baje
Adarsha Hindu Hotel
Ichhamoti
Debayan
Bipiner Sangsar
MeghaMallar
Mauriphool
Jatrabadol
Dristi Pradeep