Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay: A Gem In Bengal Literature

Of the many iconic writers born in the land of Bengal, Bibhutibhusan Bandopadhyay was able to stand out. His deep ideologies sparkled in his writings. He was a critically acclaimed Bengali novelist and writer. Beading the realities of life in such simple languages gained him the deserved respect and recognition. He was one of those rare writers who had the capability of blending the lives of human beings with nature to show the peaceful aspect of life.

Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay, The writer of the famous novel, Panthar Panchali, Image source- IMDb

On September 12, 1894, Bibhutibhsan Bandopadhyay was born in the West Bengal village of Muratipur. His father, Mahananda Bandopadhyay, was a Sanskrit scholar who was much respected, but this acclaim did not satisfy their hunger, and the gloomy clouds of poverty hung over their heads. Throughout this, he attended the local high school and eventually completed his undergraduate studies at Surendranath College in Kolkata.

It was during his post-graduation when he experienced terrible financial difficulties. The burden of providing his family with a stable financial future came on his shoulders. His ongoing circumstances forced him to quit his studies, and he decided to earn a living for his family. He did several jobs, and amidst this, he discovered his passion for writing.

His literary career began with the publication of the short story "Upekshita." After its success, there was never a turn back for him. He became immensely popular after his first novel, "Pather Panchali.’ The novel revolves around a priest who decides to leave his home and his miserable existence in pursuit of a better one. It printed his name on the list of leading authors of Bengali literature and became a sensation. The renowned director Satyajit Ray soon recognised the fascinating plot of the novel and decided to adapt it into a film.

In 1951, he was awarded the Rabindra Puraskar, which is the most prestigious award in Bengali literature, for his novel Ichhamati. The story vividly depicts indigo planters, plantation life, and caste society in Bengal during the early twentieth century. Throughout the book, relationships are depicted sympathetically, with the author delving into the different complexities included inside. Readers admired the precise descriptions of nature and the unselfconscious and poetic depiction of the flora and wildlife on the Ichamati River's banks.

Ichhamati represents and documents the existence of rural communities along the banks of the Ichamati River in undivided Bengal in an era of caste stratification. Bandyopadhyay's writings are mostly set in rural Bengal and feature local characters. All these aspects oozed realism, and he never left a chance for his readers to dive completely into the reality he created in his novels.

As his life was engulfed by poverty and hard times, his writings mirrored these tragedies and loneliness. His solitude-loving novels feature rural Bengal and its peaceful nature. Even though Bandhopadhya was a writer during the literary golden age of Bengal, he never wavered from his own distinctive style that suited him and his loved ones.

Bibhutibhusan was one of the poets who survived both the brutal world wars and thus his writings always had an empathy for the challenging urban life. His inventive approach to fusing urban and country life was truly admirable. Just like his novel, ‘Anubartan’, revolves around a community of teachers in a war-ridden environment. His novel, 'Anubartan', also centres on a group of teachers living in a war-torn setting. However, it was his acute observation of the realities of rural life—the challenges that led desperate men to prefer the hostility of the big city over the hard but tranquil life of the village that gave his writing its distinctive flavour.

His talent for being a travel writer made him stand out from his predecessors. These qualities continue to set him apart from other literary greats in Bengal. His book, "Aranyak," which translates to "of the forest," explores how capitalism has drastically changed the pristine, forested nature of Bihar. The story's main character, Satyacharan, is compelled to accept a position as an estate manager in the neighbouring state due to unemployment in Calcutta. It appears to be a reflection of the times we live in when the destruction of the environment is accepted in the name of economic progress.

Although he lived all his life in a limited area of eastern India, Bandyopadhyay was a true cosmopolitan who travelled far in his mind through reading and academic pursuits.

However, he was not someone who lived a long life, but someone who would create a legacy in a short time. But, even the most glorious lives end in death. This well-known person passed away on November 1st, 1950. However, he will live till eternity in the pages of his books and the hearts of his readers.