Balai Chand Mukhopadhyay


Balai Chand Mukhopadhyay was an Indian Bengali-language writer, physician, and playwright, best known by his pen name Banaphul,. His oeuvre spanned novels, poetry, plays, essays and over 400 short stories, the genre for which he is best remembered. For his contribution to literature, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1975, India's third-highest civilian honor.

Life

Mukhopadhyay was born in Manihari village of Purnia district, Bihar on 19 July 1899. His family originally hailed from Sehakhala situated in Hooghly District of present-day West Bengal. His father, Satyacharan Mukhopadhyay, was a doctor, and his mother was Mrinalini Devi. He originally took the pen name Banaphul to hide his literary activities from a disapproving teacher. He attended Hazaribag College and was later admitted, into the Calcutta Medical College. He moved to Lake Town, Calcutta, in 1968, and died there on 9 February 1979. He is the elder brother of famous Bengali film Director Arabinda Mukhopadhyay.

Literary works

He is best known for his short vignettes, which were often just half-page long, and centered on a single powerful moment with sharp observation and unconventional perspective, but his literary career spanned sixty-five years and included thousands of poems, over 586 short stories, 60 novels, 5 dramas, a number of one-act plays, an autobiography called Paschatpat, and numerous essays." His short stories often revolve around a single, powerful moment, defined by sharp observation, unconventional perspectives, and exceptional storytelling.

Novels

Trinokhondo তৃণখণ্ডBoitorini Tire বৈতরণীর তীরেNiranjana নিরঞ্জনাBhuban Som ভুবন সোমMaharani মহারাণীAgnishwar অগ্নীশ্বরManaspur মানসপুরErao achhe এরাও আছেNabin Dutta নবীন দত্তHarishchandra হরিশ্চন্দ্রKichukshan কিছুক্ষণSe O Ami সে ও আমিSaptarshi সপ্তর্ষিUdai Asta উদয় অস্তGandharaj গন্ধরাজPitambarer Punarjanma পীতাম্বরের পুনর্জন্মNayn Tatpurush নঞ তৎপুরুষKrishnapaksha কৃষ্ণপক্ষSandhipuja সন্ধিপূজাHate Bajare হাটেবাজারেKanyasu কন্যাসুAdhiklal অধিকলালGopaldeber Swapna গোপালদেবের স্বপ্নSwapna Sambhab স্বপ্নসম্ভবKashti Pathar কষ্টিপাথরPrachchhanna Mahima প্রচ্ছন্ন মহিমাDui Pathik দুই পথিকRatri রাত্রিPitamaha পিতামহPakshimithun পক্ষীমিথুনTirther Kak তীর্থের কাকRourab রৌরবJaltaranga জলতরঙ্গRupkatha ebang Tarpar রূপকথা এবং তারপরPratham Garal প্রথম গরলRangaturanga রঙ্গতুরঙ্গAshabari আশাবারিLi ৯Sat Samudra Tero Nadi সাত সমুদ্র তেরো নদীAkashbasi আকাশবাসীTumi তুমিAsanglagna অসংলগ্নSimarekha সীমারেখাTribarna ত্রিবর্ণAlankarpuri অলংকারপুরীJangam জঙ্গমAgni অগ্নিDwairath দ্বৈরথMrigoya মৃগয়াNirmok নির্মোকMandanda মানদন্ডNabadiganta নবদিগন্তKoshtipathar কষ্টিপাথরSthabar স্থাবরBhimpalashri ভীমপলশ্রীPancha Parba পঞ্চপর্বLakshmir Agaman লক্ষ্মীর আগমণDana ডানা

Short stories

  • Pratibaad
  • swadhinata
  • "Bonofuler Golpo"
  • "Bonofuler Aro Golpo"
  • "Bahullo"
  • "Bindu Bishorgo"
  • "Adrisholok"
  • "Anugamini"
  • "Tonni"
  • "Nobomonjori"
  • "Urmimala"
  • "Soptomi"
  • "Durbin"
  • "Bonofuler Sreshto Golpo"
  • "Bonofuler Golpo Songroho-1"
  • "Bonofuler Golpo Songroho-2"
  • "Banaphooler Chhoto Galpa Samagra—1 & 2"
  • "Fuldanir Ekti Ful"

Film adaptation of his literature

AgnishwarBhuvan ShomeEkti RaatAarohi (film) Alor Pipasa Hatey BazareyArjun Pandit TilottamaPaka Dekha

Postage stamp

On the 100th anniversary of his birth, the Government of India issued a postage stamp featuring his image.