Sudhir Chakraborty


Sudhir Chakravarti was a Bengali educationist and essayist. He made a vast contribution in Bengal's folk culture development and research.

Early life and career

Sudhir Chakravarti or Sudhir Prasad Chakravarti was born on 19 September 1934 at Shibpur. His father's name was Ramaprasad Chakravarti and his mother Beenapani Chakravarti. He was the youngest of the nine sons of Ramaprasad. Due to the fear of the Japanese bombardings in Kolkata, Chakravarti's father had shifted to Dignagar, Nadia, from Shibpur, Howrah in his childhood. After that his family came to Krishnanagar, Nadia. Chakravarti completed his studies in Calcutta University. Chakravarti is known for his research works on Folk religion, Lalan Fakir and Cultural Anthropology in Bengal. He spent 30 years researching the folk culture by traveling to different villages all over the West Bengal. He was a professor of Bengali literature from 1958 to 1994, but even after retirement kept on teaching until 2011. Chakravarti worked in Krishnagar Government College, guest lecturer of Jadavpur University and was also associated with the Institute of Development Studies, Kolkata. He wrote and edited more than 85 books on various subjects like music, art, folk-religion, cultural anthropology. He was the editor of Bengali literary Magazine Dhrubapada. He died on 15 December 2020 in Kolkata.

Literary career

From Rabindranath to Lalan Fakir, from Baul culture to clay modellers, modelling and painters and painting of rural Bengal, everything had become the subject of his interest and research. Besides research and writing, he also edited 'Dhruvapada' journal.
His contribution to the study of Bengali folk culture is immense. His pen had authored immense detailed work on the sub-religions and cult of Kartabhaja, Balahari, Sahebdhani, their belief community and their songs, which were never paid much attention to by the intellectuals. After William Hunter and Akshay Kumar Datta in the 18th century, few have paid attention to work on these sects. His book 'Bratya Lokayat Lalon' is considered as a milestone in the practice of Lalan Fakir.

Works

  1. Sahebdhani Sampraday O tader gaan, 1985
  2. Ganer Lilar Sei Kinare, 1985
  3. Krishnagarer Mritshilpo o Mritshilpi Samaj, 1985
  4. Balahari Sampraday o Tader Gaan, 1986
  5. Gabhir Nirjan Pathe, 1989
  6. Dwijendralal Smaran Bismaran, 1989
  7. Bangla Ganer Sandhane, 1990
  8. Sadar -Mafaswal, 1990
  9. Agradwiper Gopinath, 1992
  10. Nirjan Ekaker Gaan Rabindrasangeet,1992
  11. Bangla Ganer char diganta, 1992
  12. Bratya Lokayata Lalan,1992
  13. Chalchitrer Chitralekha, 1993
  14. Bangla Filmer Gaan O Satyajit Ray,1994
  15. Nirbas, 1995
  16. Panchagramer Karacha, 1995
  17. Paschimbanger Mela o Mohotsav, 1996
  18. Debabrata Biswaser Gaan, 1997
  19. Lalan, 1998
  20. Mati-Prithibir Tane, 1999
  21. Baul Fakir Katha,2001
  22. Bangla Ganer Alokporbo,2001
  23. Gane Gane Gaoya,2003
  24. Banglar Gounadharma : Sahebdhani O Bolahari, 2003
  25. Rupe Barne Chande,2003
  26. Lekha Pora Kore Je, 2003
  27. Utsabe, Melay Itihase, 2004
  28. Ghanaran Bahirana,2006
  29. Kabitar Vichitra Pathe, 2006
  30. Gaan Hote Gaane,2008
  31. Lokayoter Antarmohol, 2008
  32. Shamuk Jhinuk, 2009
  33. Akhyaner Khoje,2009
  34. Loksomaj O Lokchitra, 2009
  35. Rabindranath Anekanta, 2010
  36. Nirjansajane, 2011
  37. Alaldost Sevakamalini lalan,2011
  38. Manini Rupmati Kubir Gosai, 2012
  39. Kabitar Khonje,2012
  40. Dekha na Dekhaye Mesha,2012
  41. Sudhir Chakravarti Rachanavali -1,2012
  42. Sudhir Chakravarti Rachanavali -2,2013
  43. Chorano Ei Jibon,2013
  44. Bhadrajaner Drishtite Lalan Fakir, 2013
  45. Sahityer Lokayata Path, 2013
  46. Anek Diner Anek Katha, 2013
  47. Abataler Rupabali Abataler Padabali,2013
  48. Chhoran Ei Jibon, 2013
  49. Bhodrojoner Drishtite Lalon Fakir, 2013
  50. Sahityer Lokayata Path, 2013
  51. Onek Diner Onek Kotha, 2013
  52. Abotoler Rupaboli, Abotoler Padaboli, 2013
  53. Lokayater Onno Banke, 2014
  54. Sudhir Chakraborty Rochonaboli, Tritiyo Khondo, 2014
  55. Preme Prane Gane, 2014
  56. Rabhikorrekha, 2014
  57. Akul Praner Utsobe, 2014
  58. Nibhr̥ito Moner Chhaya, 2015
  59. Dwiralap, 2015
  60. Ganer Bhitor Diye, 2015
  61. Amar Rabindranath, 2015
  62. Sudhir Chakraborty Rochonaboli, Chaturtho Khondo, 2015
  63. Lalon Sai Kubir Gosai Ar Tader Gaan, 2015
  64. Shilper Khoje, 2016
  65. Bichitro Lokayata, 2016
  66. Shoto Ganer Gaanmela, 2017
  67. Sudhir Chakraborty Rochonaboli, Panchom Khondo, 2017
  68. Krishnanagoriker Koto Kotha, 2017
  69. Shoto Shoto Gitomukhorito, 2018
  70. Bhubonjora Ashonkhaani, 2018
  71. Rajanikanta: Dwidhaheen Onubhutil Charan, 2018
  72. Alaldost Ar Tin Shohojiya Akhyan, 2019
  73. Sanskritir Lokayan, 2019
  74. Eksho Ganer Marmakotha, 2019
  75. Sudhir Chakraborty Rochonaboli, # Shoshto Khondo, 2019
  76. Nuton Dekhar Dekha, 2019
  77. Elem Notun Deshe, 2019
  78. Meghe Meghe Taray Taray, 2019
  79. Chalchitra,2021
  80. Sudhir Chakrabory Rachanavali Seventh Volume, 2022
  81. Agranthita Sudhir Chakravarti, 2023

    Awards