Khagendranath Mitra


Khagendranath Mitra was an Indian writer known for his Bengali language children's literature.

Early life

Mitra was born in Calcutta. He hailed from the Mitra family of Nilmani Mitra Street, Kolkata. His father Shailendranath Mitra was a Mukhtar of Tagore family estate in Shilaidaha, Bengal Presidency. In school life at Kushtia District he became attracted with revolutionary politics and attached with Bagha Jatin. Mitra also joined in Non-cooperation movement in his youth and became imprisoned before the independence.

Overview

He was the first Indian children's writer whose books were translated into foreign languages. The Russian translation of Bhombol Sardar was of immense popularity. Bhombol Sardar was one of the Rapid Text in Russian junior classes.
Mitra, besides writing more than 100 books, was an editor as well. Kishor, the first child periodical in Asia was the brain child of his, though it was not published for a year. Notun Manush, Chhotoder Mohol, Banshory, Sonar Kathi, Shishusathi were among the periodicals he edited.

List of works

Stories

  • Moutuski
  • Sei Chhokrata
  • Kopaler Lekha
  • Swapne Paoya Golpo
  • Kortababur Petni Dekha
  • Mintur Chhobi
  • GoneshChandrer Ashubho Jatra
  • Parghater Alapeer Pallay
  • Chorer-o Adhom
  • Badanpur Bungalowr Sei Rat

Novels

  • Bagdi Dakat
  • Africar Jongole
  • Sundarbaner Pothe
  • Black Arrow
  • Bhombol Sardar,in 4 volumes- This is a fascinating account of life of a preteen village boy, Bhombol. Perhaps, this is a nostalgic memory of his own childhood.
  • Pujoneeyo Dosyu - Prohelika Series of Deb Sahitya Kutir
  • Dakait Omnibus - Stories of Bishe Dakait and other decoits of rural Bengal

Adaptation

Bhombol Sardar was turned into a verbal drama conducted by Akashbani, the governmental radio network in India. It was also adapted to a Bengali movie.

Awards

Khagendranath Mitra received many awards such as Bhubaneshwasi Padak and Mouchak Sahitya Purashkar from University of Calcutta for his works. He also awarded Girish Silver Medal. In 1975 his name was nominated for National award in literature but since the authority showed dishoner to the child literutre, he refused to receive it.