Sunil Gangopadhyay facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sunil Gangopadhyay
Gangopadhyay in 2010
Born	(1934-09-07)7 September 1934 Madaripur, Bengal Presidency, British India (now in Bangladesh)
Died	23 October 2012(2012-10-23) (aged 78) Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Pen name	Nil Lohit, Sanatan Pathak, and Nil Upadhyay
Occupation	Poet novelist short story writer historian journalist
Language	Bengali
Nationality	Indian
Alma mater	University of Calcutta
Period	1953–2012
Literary movement	Krittibas
Notable works	Aranyer Din Ratri First Light (Prathama Alo) Those Days (Sei Somoy) Kakababu
Notable awards	Ananda Puraskar (1972, 1989) Sahitya Akademi Award (1985)
Spouse	Swati Bandopadhyay ​ (m. 1967)​
Children	Souvik Gangopadhyay (b. 1967)
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Sunil Gangopadhyay (born September 7, 1934 – died October 23, 2012) was a famous Indian writer. He wrote poems, novels, and short stories in the Bengali language. Sunil Gangopadhyay was known for trying new styles in Bengali poetry in the 1950s and 1960s.

In 1953, he started a poetry magazine called Krittibas with his friends. Many people consider him one of the most important and popular Bengali writers since Rabindranath Tagore.

He wrote many popular novels like Atmaprakash (1964) and Sei Somoy. He also created the beloved character Kakababu, an adventurous detective. Sunil Gangopadhyay wrote 36 novels in the Kakababu series, which became very popular in children's literature in Bengal. In 1985, he won the important Sahitya Akademi Award for his historical novel Those Days.

Sunil Gangopadhyay's writing style was easy to read and felt like a conversation. He used simple words but his stories were deep and often had a bit of humor. His unique style influenced many writers.

Early life and education

Sunil Gangopadhyay was born in Madaripur, which is now part of Bangladesh. When he was young, his family moved to Kolkata, India. This happened after India was divided in 1947.

He went to college at Surendranath College and City College, Kolkata. He later earned a master's degree in Bengali literature from the University of Calcutta in 1954. He married Swati Banerjee in 1967, and they had a son named Souvik.

Literary journey and achievements

Starting Krittibas magazine

Sunil in the Krittibas stall in Nandan

Sunil Gangopadhyay was the main editor of Krittibas, a very important poetry magazine. It started in 1953 and became a place for new poets to try out different ways of writing poems. This magazine helped a new generation of writers share their work.

Other writing adventures

Later, Sunil Gangopadhyay wrote for many publications of the Ananda Bazar Patrika group. This is a big publishing company in Kolkata. He became friends with the American poet Allen Ginsberg when Ginsberg visited India. Ginsberg even mentioned Gangopadhyay in his poem "September on Jessore Road." Sunil Gangopadhyay also wrote about Ginsberg in some of his books.

He was elected the President of the Sahitya Akademi in 2008. This is a big honor for writers in India.

Famous works and writing style

Gangopadhyay in 2006

Sunil Gangopadhyay wrote more than 200 books! He was a very busy writer and wrote in many different styles. He said that poetry was his "first love." His poem series about Nikhilesh and Neera were very popular.

His second novel, Atmaprakash, was published in a famous magazine called Desh in 1965. It was praised by critics. The story was about a young man living a free-spirited life in Kolkata.

His historical novel Sei Somoy (which means Those Days) won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1985. This book is still very popular today. Other best-selling historical novels include Prothom Alo (First Light) and Poorba-Pashchim. The latter tells the story of the Partition of India through the eyes of three generations.

Sunil Gangopadhyay also wrote travel stories, children's books, short stories, and essays. He used different pen names like Nil Lohit, Sanatan Pathak, and Nil Upadhyay.

Sunil Gangopadhyay giving autographs to his fans in Kolkata Book Fair 2010

The adventures of Kakababu

One of his most famous creations for children was the character Kakababu. Kakababu is a detective who has a limp but is very adventurous. He travels with his young nephew, Santu, and their friend Jojo. Sunil Gangopadhyay wrote over 35 novels in the Kakababu series, which first appeared in the Anandamela magazine.

Books made into movies

Many of Sunil Gangopadhyay's books have been made into movies.

• Famous director Satyajit Ray made two films, Pratidwandi and Aranyer Din Ratri, based on his novels.
• Several Kakababu novels have been made into popular films, including:
  • Sabuj Dwiper Raja (1979)
  • Mishor Rahasya (2013)
  • Yeti Obhijaan (2017)
  • Kakababur Protyaborton (2021)
• Other films based on his works include Ore Kadal (2007), Moner Manush (2010), and Aparajita Tumi (2012).

Later life and passing

Sunil Gangopadhyay passed away on October 23, 2012, at his home in Kolkata. He had been ill for some time. His body was cremated according to Hindu customs, and many important people and fans came to pay their respects.

The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, said that Sunil Gangopadhyay had made Bengali literature much richer with his unique writing. He said that the loss of such a great writer would be deeply felt.

List of major works

Poetry collections

• Hathat Nirar Janya
• Bhorbelar Upohar
• Sada Prishtha tomar sange
• Sei Muhurte Nira
• Kaydata Shikhe Nebe
• Jodi Nirbason Dao
• Pagol Kota

Novels

Autobiographies

• Ardhek Jibon
• Chabir Deshe, Kabitar Deshe

Travel stories

• "Bijone Nijer Sathe"
• "Amader Choto Nadee"
• "Tin Samudro Satash Nadee"

Kakababu series novels

Books translated into English

• First Light ISBN: 978-0-14-100430-3
• Those days ISBN: 0140268529
• East-West Penguin Books India
• The Lovers and the other stories ISBN: 81-7189-838-6
• Pratidwandi ISBN: 81-250-1902-2
• Murmur in the Woods ISBN: 81-220-0568-3
• The Youth ISBN: 81-291-0125-4
• Ranu O Bhanu Translated by Sheila Sengupta
• The Lonely Monarch Translated by Swapna Dutta, ISBN: 978-93-5009-628-4
• Blood Translated by Debali Mookerjea-Leonard

Awards and recognition

Awards received

• 1972: Ananda Puraskar
• 1979: "National poet" honor by Akashbani Kolkata
• 1983: Bankim Puraskar for Sei Somoy
• 1984: Sahitya Akademi Award for Sei Somoy
• 1989: Ananda Puraskar for Poorba-Pashchim
• 1989: Sahitya Setu puroskar
• 1999: Annada-Snowcem puroska for 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

Special honors

• 2002: Sheriff of Kolkata.
• Honorary D.Litt. from the University of Burdwan

See also

In Spanish: Sunil Gangopadhyay para niños

• List of Indian writers