Saturday, March 04, 2006

Sharat Chandra Chatterjee (1876-1938): The most popular Bengali novelist

Today, I like to write about Sharat Chandra, the most famous novelist in Bangla (Bengali) literature. Actually, if I am not wrong then Sharat Chandra is perhaps the most famous novelist of South Asia. His novels have been translated into many major languages of South Asia and in India his novels especially Devdas has been made into movies in some languages. It seems that Bollywood loves Sharat Chandra and Devdas as there have been 3 movies in Bollywood based on this novel.
Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay had to struggle a lot in his early life because of the death of his parents. Fortunately, after finishing his studies in school he could go to college for two years. After that his life was full of struggle for a long time. At that time many Bengalis went to Rangoon (now Yangoon) capital of Burma (Myanmar) which was a part of British Empire. Sarat Chandra worked in the government service as an ordinary clerk for some time. He was a gifted writer and he kept his habit of writing all through his life. He wrote some short and long stories that became famous but it was in novel that he showed his skills best. His novels earned him fame and fortunate- both. At that time, no writer could think of having a decent life style by writing alone. Sarat Chandra first successfully broke this barrier as his novels became commercially successful. He was perhaps the first writer in Bangla literature to be accepted by people from every class of the society. His depiction of Bengali society is unmatched by any writer before or after him. His female characters are still considered to be the role model for women in Bengali society.

2 comments:

  1. I'm curious as to the years he as alive.

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  2. Hello. I need your help. I search English transliteration of 'Devdas'. I live in Russia and I connot buy this book. If you know where I can download one write me please. My e-mail - annutka2006@yahoo.com

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