Shankha Ghosh facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shankha Ghosh
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Ghosh in 2011
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| Born |
Chittapriya Ghosh
February 5, 1932 |
| Died | 21 April 2021 (aged 89) Kolkata, West Bengal, India
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| Alma mater | University of Calcutta |
| Known for | Bengali literature |
| Title | Poet |
| Spouse(s) | Pratima Ghosh (née Biswas) |
| Awards | Padma Bhushan (2011) Jnanpith Award (2016) Sahitya Akademi Award (1977) SahityaBramha Award (2015) World Forum for Journalists and Writers, Kolkata |
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Shankha Ghosh (born Chittapriya Ghosh; 5 February 1932 – 21 April 2021) was a famous Indian poet and literary critic. He was born in the Chandpur District, which was part of the Bengal Presidency in British India (now in Bangladesh). His family's original home was in Banaripara Upazila. He spent his childhood and teenage years in Ishwardi Upazila, where his father worked.
Ghosh finished his high school studies at Chandraprabha Vidyapitha in Pabna. He earned his first college degree in Bengali from Presidency College, Kolkata, in 1951. Later, he completed his master's degree from the University of Calcutta in 1954.
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Shankha Ghosh's Career Journey
Shankha Ghosh taught at many different schools and universities. Some of these included Bangabasi College, City College, Jadavpur University, and Visva-Bharati University. He retired from Jadavpur University in 1992.
In 1967, he traveled to the United States to take part in the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa. This program brings writers from all over the world together. He also taught at Delhi University and the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies in Shimla.
A Recognized Poet
Shankha Ghosh was known by his pen name, Kuntak. He was one of the most respected writers in modern Bengali literature. People often called him one of the 'Pancha Pandavas' (Five Pandavas) of Bengali literature. This group included other famous writers like Shakti Chattopadhyay and Sunil Gangopadhyay. They helped shape a new style in Bengali writing.
Shankha Ghosh became ill with COVID-19 on 14 April 2021. He faced several health problems and sadly passed away at his home in Kolkata on 21 April 2021.
Shankha Ghosh's Writings
Shankha Ghosh made a huge impact on Bengali poetry. Some of his well-known poetry books include 'Days and Nights', 'Babar's Prayer', 'Face Covered in Advertisement', and 'Gandharva Poems'.
Even though he was famous as a poet, he also wrote many prose works (like essays and stories). He was an expert on Rabindranath Tagore, another very famous Bengali writer. Ghosh wrote books about Tagore's works, such as 'Ocampore Rabindranath' and 'Chhander Baranda'. Other important prose works by Ghosh include 'Words and Truth' and 'Urvashir Hasi'. His writings have been popular and studied in Bengali for many years.
Poetry with a Purpose
Shankha Ghosh's poetry often showed his deep thoughts about society and politics. He used his sensitive poems to speak out against unfairness and injustice. Sometimes, he used sharp, satirical language in his poems to make his point.
His poetry often connected with the struggles of poor and lower-class people. Shankha Ghosh used his powerful poems to highlight every inequality and lack of justice he saw in society.
Major Works by Shankha Ghosh
Here are some of the main books written by Shankha Ghosh:
Poetry Books
- Dinguli rātaguli (দিনগুলি রাতগুলি) (1956)
- Ekhan samaẏa naẏ (এখন সময় নয়) (1967)
- Nihita pātālachāẏā (নিহিত পাতালছায়া) (1967)
- Saṅkha ghōṣēr śrēṣṭha kabitā (শঙ্খ ঘোষের শ্রেষ্ঠ কবিতা) (1970)
- Adima latāgulmamaẏ (আদিম লতাগুল্মময়) (1972)
- Mūrkha baṛa sāmājika naẏa (মূর্খ বড় সামাজিক নয়) (1974)
- Baburēr prārthanā (বাবরের প্রার্থনা) (1976)
- Mukh ḍhēkē jay Bigyapanē (মুখ ঢেকে যায় বিজ্ঞাপনে) (1984)
- Gāndharva kabitāguccha (গান্ধর্ব কবিতাগুচ্ছ) (1994)
- Chhandēr bhitarē ēto andhakār (ছন্দের ভিতরে এত অন্ধকার) (1999)
- Jol'i pāṣāṇ hoẏē āchē (জলই পাষাণ হয়ে আছে) (2004)
- Samasta khatēr mukhē pali (সমস্ত ক্ষতের মুখে পলি) (2007)
Prose Books
- kālēra mātrā ō rabīndranāṭak (কালের মাত্রা ও রবীন্দ্রনাটকএ) (1969)
- niḥśabdēra tarjanī (নিঃশব্দের তর্জনী) (1971)
Awards and Honors
Shankha Ghosh received many important awards for his contributions to literature:
- Narsingh Das Puraskar (1977)
- Sahitya Akademi Award (1977, for Baabarer praarthanaa)
- Rabindra Puraskar (1989, for Dhum legechhe hrit kamale)
- Saraswati Samman for his poetry collection Gandharba Kabitaguccha
- Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize (1999) for translating a play from Kannada into Bengali.
- Desikottam by Visva-Bharati (1999)
- D.Litt. from Vidyasagar University (2010)
- Padma Bhushan from the Government of India (2011) – This is one of India's highest civilian honors.
- Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement "Sahityabrahma" Award (2015)
- D.Litt. from Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur (2015)
- Jnanpith Award by the Government of India (2016) – This is India's highest literary award.
