Birth Anniversary of Saratchandra Chattopadhyay:
The Prime Minister paid tribute to renowned Bengali writer Saratchandra Chattopadhyay on his 150th birth anniversary, highlighting his contribution to Indian literature and his role in portraying the social realities of 19th-century India.
- Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay was born on 15th September 1876 in Hooghly, Bengal Presidency. He passed away on 16th January 1938 in Kolkata.
- He emerged as one of the most influential Bengali novelists and short-story writers of the early 20th century. His writings provided a realistic portrayal of 19th-century Indian society, particularly rural Bengal, combining social realism, emotional depth and critique of social inequalities.
- His major works include Parineeta (1914), Devdas (1917), Srikanta (1917–1933), Choritrohin (1917) and Pather Dabi (1926).
- Through his novels and stories, he criticised patriarchy, caste discrimination, superstition and rigid social traditions, while highlighting the need for social justice and human dignity.
- He created strong female characters who challenged prevailing social norms and portrayed the sufferings and aspirations of women in colonial Indian society.
- His writings reflected the influence of the Indian freedom struggle, particularly through Pather Dabi, which depicted revolutionary activities against British colonial rule.
- He served as the President of the Howrah District Congress Committee from 1921 to 1936, linking his literary work with nationalist activities.
- His works have been translated into various Indian and foreign languages and adapted into numerous films, making him one of the most widely read Indian authors.
