Dinesh Chandra Sen


Rai Bahadur Dinesh Chandra Sen was a Bengali writer, educationist and researcher of Bengali folklore from the Indian subcontinent. He was the founding faculty member and the Ramtanu Lahiri Research Fellow of the Department of Bengali Language and Literature of the University of Calcutta. He died in Calcutta in 1939.

Early life and family

Sen was born to Ishwar Chandra Sen and Rupalata Devi, in the village of Suapur. His mother's family was from Bogjuri in Manikganj District. Hiralal Sen was a cousin on that side. His grandson Samar Sen was a noted Bengali poet.

Education and career

In 1882, he passed his university entrance examination from Jagannath College in Dhaka. In 1885, he passed his F.A. examination from Dhaka College. He passed his B.A. examination with honours in English literature in 1889. In 1891, he became the headmaster of the Victoria School in Comilla. During 1909–13, he was a Reader in the newly founded Department of Bengali Language and Literature of the University of Calcutta. In 1913, he became the Ramtanu Lahiri Research Fellow in the same department. In 1921, the University of Calcutta conferred on him the Doctorate of Literature in recognition of his work. In 1931, he received the Jagattarini gold medal for his contribution to the Bengali literature. He retired from service in 1932.

Works

He worked on collection and compilation of Bengal folklore. Along with Chandra Kumar De, he published Mymensingh Gitika, a collection of 21 ballads.

In Bengali

Bangla Bhasa O Sahitya Tin Bandhu Ramayani Katha Behula Sati Phullara Jada Bharat Sukatha Grihashri Nilmanik Mukta Churi Saral Bangla Sahitya Vaidik Bharat Gharer Katha O Yugasahitya Aloke Andhare Chaukir Vidambana Oparer Alo Pauraniki Brihat Banga in two volumes Ashutosh Smriti Katha Shyamal O Kajjal Padavali Madhurya Puratani Banglar Puranari Prachin Bangla Sahitye Musalmaner Avadan
  • ''Rakhaler Rajgi''

In English

History of Bengali Language and Literature Sati The Vaishnava Literature of Medieval Bengal Chaitanya and His Companions The Folk Literature of Bengal The Bengali Ramayana Bengali Prose Style, 1800-1857 Chaitanya and His Age Eastern Bengal Ballads in four volumes
  • ''Glimpses of Bengal Life''