Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's 142nd birth anniversary today

Today marks the 142nd birth anniversary of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, a celebrated Bengali novelist and short story writer. Sarat Chandra was born at Debanandapur of Hooghly in Pachim Banga of India on September 15, 1876. His family was occasionally supported by other family members and Sarat's lack of financial stability would influence his writings in years to come. His work represented rural Bengali society and he often wrote against social superstitions and oppression. His first published story was "Mandir". Some of his notable literary works are "Bordidi", "Bindur Chhele", "Parineeta", "Biraj Bou", "Ramer Shumoti", "Palli Shomaj" and others.

However, Sarat started his education at Pyari Pandit's Pathshala and then he took admission into Hooghly Branch High School. Although he began as a fine arts student, Sarat left his studies due to his persistent state of poverty. The legendary writer received his early education while residing at his maternal uncle's house in Bhagalpur. He spent some 20 years of his life in Bhagalpur and a significant portion of his novels were either written in Bhagalpur or based on his experience in Bhagalpur. For a short period he was a Sannyasi, a Hindu ascetic who abandons the material and social worlds.

After the death of his parents, Sarat left his college education midway and went to Burma (now Myanmar) in 1903. There he found employment with a govt office as a clerk. He returned to India, but before his departure, he submitted a short story for a prize competition under his uncle's name, Surendranath Ganguli. It won first prize in 1904. In recognition of his contribution to Bengali literature, Sarat was honoured with "Kuntolin Puraskar" for "Mandir" and D-Lit degree from the University of Dhaka.

Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay breathed his last of liver cancer in 1938 in Kolkata.