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PRABHAT KUMAR MUKHOPADDHAY (1873 - 1932)
Prabhat Kumar had genuinely acquired mass appeal as
a writer. He became equally popular among the elites and the masses by composing humorous stories as well as
refined and tragic short stories.
He was patronized by Rabindranath Tagore. At the inception, he started
composing poetry. But under the able guidance of Rabindranath,
he came to realize that composing short stories was his cup of tea.
He had composed 14 novels en masse. 'Rama Sundari' (1908), 'Nabeen Sanyasi' (1912), 'Ratna Dwip' (1915), 'Jeeboner Mulya' (1917),
'Moner Manush' (1922), 'Sukher Milan' (1927), 'Satir Pati' (1928), 'Pratima' (1929) etc. are some of his famous novels. Some of these novels had gained immense popularity among the masses. To assess him in a
nutshell, we can say that his novels draw the readers with a magnetic attraction but do no compel
the readers to mull over them as in Rabindranath's or Sharat Chandra's
novels.
He was also adept in writing short stories. In fact, he was more
inclined to writing short stories than voluminous novels. Almost 114 short stories of Prabhat Kumar were published at
different times in different collections viz. 'Naba Katha' (1899), 'Deshi
O Bilati' (1909), 'Gahaner Baksha' (1921) etc. He had authored several short stories on tragic and amorous
themes. These stories fascinate the readers irrespective of
time, age, sex, caste or religion.
SARAT CHANDRA CHATTOPADDHAY (1878 - 1938)
Sarat Chandra's first printed novel 'Baro Didi' was published in 1913. His last novel 'Bipradas' was published in 1935. Within a span of
twenty two years, he had composed 30 novels and gave a glorious collection of short stories
to Bengali literature. After his demise, 'Subhoda' (1938) and 'Sesher Parichay' (1939) were published. He passed
away keeping the latter as incomplete. He had dramatized some of his novels himself viz. 'Shorashi' (1928), 'Rama' (1928), 'Biraj Bau' (1934), 'Bijaya' (1935) etc. Apart from these,
many of his essays were also published. Recently, some letters written
by him have been published as well.
Sarat Chandra sincerely believed that novels were the most
appropriate form of expressive art. The form or texture of modern Bengali novels have changed
immensely from time to time. But Sarat Chandra's popularity
has not diminished a bit among the Bengali readers. To be precise, none
other than Sarat Chandra has written so lively and pictorial novels
sousing them in the sea of every day human emotions, sentiments,
ecstasies and poignant pathos. Any reader, irrespective of age, caste, sex or community feels
a sense of oneness with his novels. Even Rabindranath Tagore was
partially eclipsed as a novelist in comparison with Sarat Chandra's
charm and appeal.
Some of his unique books are enlisted below :
'Bindur Chele' (1914), 'Parineeta' (1914), 'Pandit Mashai' (1917),
'Mejo Didi' (1915), 'Palli Samaj' (1916), 'Baikunther Will' (1915),
'Arakshanya' (1916), 'Griha Daha' (1920), 'Srikanta' (1st - 1917, 2nd - 1918, 3rd - 1927, 4th - 1933),
'Dena Paona' (1923), 'Shesh Prashna' (1931).
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