A person who has achieved immortality in the realm of literature through his unique, creative, grave and rational writing, bringing a break-through and most importantly pioneering 'current' Bengali as a medium of writing is none other than Pramatha Chaudhuri. He is also known by pseudonyms Birbol and Nillohit.
Chaudhuri made literature more lucid through advocating Bengali as a medium of prose writing. He convinced the Bengali people, "language transmits to nib of pen from mouth of people, not to the mouth of people from nib of pen." He, centring Sabujpatra magazine, established 'cholito' (informal) Bengali in literature and proved, in his essays, both simple and complex expressions are state able through it which shaped modern prose. The flourish of 'cholito' Bengali in literature is successfully used because of contribution of Pramatha Chaudhury.
His pen, as a restless bird, wrote the immortal songs of glorifying knowledge acquisition and patriotism .These injects stimulation and inspiration to the vein of youngsters endlessly. He says, "The light of knowledge sparks anywhere, spreads everywhere". "We should try hard so that we do not become foreigners in our motherland," he says about patriotism.
He chose literary elements from the human life and nature. But, he did not imitate literally. Moreover, he sprays colours and flavours of his imagination and humour on his sheer observation.
He was born in a famous landlord family of Haripur village in Pabna on August 07, 1868. His father Durgadas Chaudhuri was a high rank officer of British Government. Father's tours of duty took Chaudhuri many places in Bihar and Bengal Presidency. His father was an uncompromising atheist and the whole family was anti-religious. He inherited his family zeal, sense of humour and an open philosophy of life. He escalated in an environment of healthy culture and free-thought in his family which aroused the writer in him.
His educational life was full of achievements. He passed Entrance Exam from Heyar School and BA in Philosophy from Presidency College in Calcutta. Then, completed MA in English with first division, he flied to England in 1893 and passed Bar-at-Law.
He started his career as a Professor of Law at Calcutta University. He also served as high official of the British Government. He married Indira Devi who was the niece of Rabindranath Tagore. He successfully acted as an editor of famous Sabujpatra magazine and created a group of promising young writers.
In philosophy, politics, language, literature, and history the essays he wrote testify uniqueness. He entered into a topic in a debating temperament and focused on the theme. His remarkable essay books are Tel-Nun Lakdi (1906), Nanakotha (1911), Birboler Halkhata (1917), Okkhorer Shikkha (1920), Dui Yearir Kotha (1921), Birboler Tipponi (1924),Ghore Baire (1936).
He also proved himself blessed by the muses of poetry. His poems, like fountains, spontaneously fell as an expression of the Bengali's emotion. He introduced Italian Sonnet in Bengali literature, also wrote sonnet according to traditional flow. Sonnet Ponchasoth (1919) and Podocaron (1920) are his books of poetry.
He wrote numerous heart touching stories. He introduced Persian traditional short stories in Bengali literature. Car Yearir Kotha (1916), Ahoti(1919),Gosaler Trikotha (1937)and Sekaler Golpo(1939) are his story books.
In 1941, Calcutta University honoured Chaudhuri with Jogottarini Podok.
This great spirit breathed his last at Shanti Niketan in 1946. However, he is still alive at the hearts of billions of readers. He is still revered as one of the brightest stars in the sky of Bengali literature.
The writer is studing at Department of English,
University of Chittagong
