Bankim Chandra Chatterjee - the author of the 1882 novel - "Anandamath" - was an Indian poet and journalist in a nutshell. The ‘Anandamath’, being a great example of modern Bengali & Indian literature, Bankim Chandra was called the "Sahitya Samrat”. He wrote fourteen novels and many serio-comic, satirical, scientific and critical treatises in Bengali. His famous “Vande Mataram” (Sanskrit: “O Mother! I bow to thee!”) became the cry for most of the Freedom Fighters, not only Bengali but also outside.
Bankim Chandra was born on 26th June 1838. He got married to Mohini Devi. He wrote under the pen name "Kamalakanta". His notable works are Durgeshnandini, Kapalkundala, Devi Chaudhurani, Bishabriksha, etc. His early publications were in Ishwar Chandra Gupta's weekly newspaper Sangbad Prabhakar. But he started his career as a writer of verse before started writing fiction. He took an attempt of writing a novel in Bengali submitted for a declared prize. But unfortunately, he did not win and the novel remained unpublished. His first fiction to appear in print was the English novel named as "Rajmohan's wife". Durgeshnandini was his first romantic novel and his first published Bengali novel (in the year 1865).
Born to an orthodox Bengali Bramhin family in the village of Kanthalpara in the town of Naihati; He was the youngest among the three brothers. He got his schooling from Hoogly Collegiate School where he wrote his first poem. Then He went to Monshin college and later to Presidency College where He got graduated with a degree in Arts. He got highly influenced by Oriental thoughts and ideas. He died on 8th april 1894.
Forward Media Group pays humble tribute to Bankim Chandra Chatterjee on his 184th Birth Anniversary
Write-up by: Prerona Bhattacharyya
