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Premendra Mitra

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Premendra Mitra
Born 1904
Varanasi, India
Died 3 May,1988
Kolkata
Occupation Poet, Novelist, Short Story Writer, Science Fiction Writer, Film Director, Professor of Bangla
Notable award(s) Rabindra Puraskar
Padmashree
Sharat Puraskar
Spouse(s) Beena Mitra

Premendra Mitra (Bengali: প্রেমেন্দ্র মিত্র) (1904-1988) was a renowned Bengali poet, novelist, short story writer and film director. He was also an author of Bangla science fiction and thrillers.

Contents

[edit] Life

He was born in Varanasi, India, though his ancestors lived at Rajpur, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal. His father was an employee of the Indian Railways and because of that; he had the opportunity of travelling to many places in India. He spent his childhood in Uttar Pradesh and his later life in Kolkata & Dhaka. He was a student of South Suburban School (Main) and later at the Scottish Church College in Kolkata. During his initial years, he (unsuccessfully) aspired to be a physician and studied the natural sciences. Later he started out as a school teacher. He even tried to make a career for himself as a businessman, but he was unsuccessful in that venture as well. At a time, he was working in the marketing division of a medicine producing company. After trying out the other occupations, in which he met marginal or moderate success, he rediscovered his talents for creativity in writing and eventually became a Bengali author and poet. Married to Beena Mitra [বীণা মিত্র], he was, by profession, a Bengali professor at City College in north Kolkata. He spent almost his entire life in a house at Kalighat, Kolkata.

[edit] As an Author & Editor

In November 1923, Mitra came from Dhaka, Bangladesh and stayed in a mess at Gobinda Ghoshal Lane, Kolkata. There, he wrote 2 stories and sent them to the popular Bengali journal Probasi (meaning: The Exile). His first published work was Shudhu Keranee [শুধু কেরানী] in Probasi in March, 1924. In the following issue, another story, Goponcharini [গোপনচারিণী] was published.[1] His poems were better known for their sharpness and wit. They also expressed empathy for the sufferings of the proletariat. Five years earlier, in 1925, when Rabindranath Tagore wrote Punoshcho [পুনশ্চ], the first universally accepted Bangla prose-poetry book, Mitra wrote some poetries in the magazines, Bijli [বিজলী], Kali Kalam [কালি কলম], etc. which are of that kind. Buddhadeb Bosu [বুদ্ধদেব বসু] thus wrote:

“ He is one of the earliest practitioners— one might say pioneers— of the of the prose poem. Ghanada Samagra 1 ”


The first book of poetry was Prothoma [প্রথমা] (1932).

His short stories were well-structured and innovative, and encompassed the diverse to the divergent in urban Indian society. The themes of poverty, degradation, caste, the intermittent conflict between religion and rationality and themes of the rural-urban divide are a thematically occurring refrain in much of his work. He experimented with the stylistic nuances of Bengali prose and tried to offer alternative linguistic parameters to the high-class elite prosaic Bengali language. It was basically an effort to make the Bengali literature free from softness, excessive romance and use of old style of writing which were prevalent in older writings. Nana Range Bona is not only a short story collection, but it is the only known autobiography of Premendra Mitra. He edited Bengali journals and news-magazines like Kollol [কল্লোল], Kali Kalam [কালি কলম], Banglar Kotha [বাংলার কথা], Bongobani [বঙ্গবাণী] etc. He also wrote in Mouchak, a magazine run by Sudhir Chandra Sarkar. He was connected to the Akashbani at first as a producer, later he performed other duties.

He even wrote brilliant and innovative science fictions and thrillers. Those are based on firm scientific temperaments and facts. Two of his most well-known stories are Piprey Puran [পিঁপড়ে পুরাণ] (The Story of the Ants) and Mangalbairi [মঙ্গলবৈরী] (The Martian Enemies).

Main article: Pinpre Puran

Although these are more popular among Bengali-speaking school children and teenagers, they are popular among an older generation of literary aficionados as well. In particular, his creation of the character of Ghanada [ঘনাদা] (meaning: 'Elder brother Ghana' in Bangla) may be seen from many perspectives: although Ghanada is apparently an uninterested unemployed middle aged male, tall & thin, and who can apparently weave adventures almost at the drop of a hat, the adventures themselves cover themes ranging from crime, human ingenuity, science, history, geography, metaphysics and philosophy. In terms of facts, they are amazingly accurate. It is obvious that while Ghanada himself has not been involved in any of the adventures he claims to have taken part in, he is certainly a very learned man with an exceptional gift for storytelling. Ghanada may be seen as Mitra's parody or caricature of the Bengali urban middle class celibate intellectual, who is at home in the world of books and knowledge, but has little practical experience whatsoever. It is also interesting to note that like Satyajit Ray's Feluda, the older Ghanada although not abhorring the opposite sex, is not entirely at ease with them either. He stays at an all-male hostel and maintains an almost frugal existence. Ghanada is a self-educated person and his education is mostly due to time spent at the local libraries. In a way, it could be argued that these stories also reflect larger patterns of social transformations.

Main article: Ghanada
See also: Characters

Another masterpice of his creation was the character of Mejokorta [মেজকর্তা] (meaning: 'the next brother of the eldest son of a family' in Bangla). Mejokarta was a famous "Bhoot Shikari" [ভূত শিকারি] (meaning: Ghost-hunter in Bangla). The series of Mejokarta, although not as long as that of Ghanada, has left its prominent mark in the genre of ghost stories in Bangla.

See also: Characters

Mitra's literary works were included in the curriculum of school level, secondary, higher secondary and graduation level Bengali literature in Bangladesh & West Bengal.

[edit] List of Books

[edit] Poems

  • Prothoma [প্রথমা] (First Lady)
  • Somrat [সম্রাট] (The Emperor)
  • Feraari Fouj [ফেরারী ফৌজ] (The Lost Army) Poetries:Phyan [ফ্যান]
  • Sagor Theke Fera [সাগর থেকে ফেরা] (Returning From The Sea)
  • Horin Cheeta Chil [হরিণ, চিতা, চিল] (Deer, Cheetah, Kite) Poetries:Khunt [খুঁত] (Wrong)
  • Kokhono Megh (An Occasional Cloud)
  • Ananya (One-of-a-kind, Unique)
  • Khuda wahid (Allah)

[edit] Short Story Collections

  • PonchoShor [পঞ্চশর] (The Five Arrows)
  • Benami Bandar [বেনামি বন্দর] (Unknown Harbour)
  • Putul O Protima [পুতুল ও প্রতিমা] (Doll And Clay Image of Goddess)
  • Mrittika [মৃত্তিকা] (Earthen image)
  • Ofuronto [অফুরন্ত] (Endless)
  • Dhuli Dhusor [ধূলি ধূসর] (Fade As Dust)
  • Mohanagar [মহানগর] (The Great City)
  • Jol Payra [জল পায়রা] (Water Pigeon)
  • Sreshto Golpo [শ্রেষ্ঠ গল্প] (Best Stories)
  • Nana Ronge Bona [নানা রঙে বোনা] (Knit with Different Colours)
  • Nirbachita [নির্বাচিত] (Selected)

3 for children:

  • MayurPankhi [ময়ূরপঙ্খী]
  • SagorDanri [সাগরদাঁড়ি]
  • MakorMukhi [মকরমুখী]

[edit] List of Writings

[edit] Rhymes

  • Hariye [হারিয়ে]
  • Borong [বরং]
  • Misti Megh [মিষ্টি মেঘ] (A Sweet Cloud)
  • Onko [অঙ্ক] (Mathematics)
  • Misti [মিষ্টি] (Sweet)
  • Duti Banshi [দুটি বাঁশি] (The Two Flutes)
  • Megher Ghurhi [মেঘের ঘুড়ি] (The Kite of Cloud)

[edit] Fairy Tales, Ghost Stories & Teenager Stories

  • Chorui Pakhira Kothay Jay [চড়ুই পাখিরা কোথায় যায়]
  • Lighthouse-e [লাইটহাউসে] (At the Lighthouse)
  • Satyabadi Suku [সত্যবাদী সুকু] (Suku the Truth Speaker)
  • Hatir Danter Kaj [হাতির দাঁতের কাজ] (Work Done By the Tooth of an Elephant)
  • Golper Swarge [গল্পের স্বর্গে] (At the Paradise of Stories)
  • Putuler Lorai [পুতুলের লড়াই] (The Fight of the Dolls)
  • Ramrajye Bidroha [রামরাজ্যে বিদ্রোহ]
  • Kurukshetre Bhaja Orfe Brihaddhaja [কুরুক্ষেত্রে ভজা ওরফে বৄহদ্ধজ] (Bhaja Alias Brihaddhaja at the Kurukshetra)
  • Ratan Panjali [রতন পাঞ্জালী]
  • Ko-Aai [কো-আই]
  • Porira Keno Ase Na [পরিরা কেন আসে না] (Why the Fairies Don’t Come)
  • KalRakkhos Kothay Thake? [কালরাক্ষস কোথায় থাকে?] (Where does KalRakkhos Live?)
  • Sanu O DudhRajkumar [সানু ও দুধরাজকুমার] (Sanu And DudhRajkumar)
  • KaluSardar (Kalu the Leader)
  • Gopon Bahini [গোপন বাহিনী] (The Secret Force)
  • Mahuri Kuthite Ek Rat [মাহুরি কুঠিতে এক রাত] (One Night Stand at Mahuri Kuthi)
  • Nishutipur [নিশুতিপুর]
  • Vuturhe Jahaj [ভূতুড়ে জাহাজ] (The Ghost Ship)

[edit] Ghost Stories

  • Golper Sheshe [গল্পের শেষে] (At the End of the Story)
  • Rajputanar Morute [রাজপুতানার মরুতে] (At the Desert of the Rajputana)
  • Bromhadoityer Math [ব্রহ্মদৈত্যের মাঠ] (The Ground of Brohadoityo)

[edit] Fun Stories

  • Clue [ক্লু] (The Clue)
  • Chor [চোর] (The Thief)
  • Bhupaler Kopal [ভূপালের কপাল] (The Fate of Bhupal)
  • BishwomvorBabur Bibortonbad [বিশ্বম্ভরবাবুর বিবর্তনবাদ] (The Thesis of Evolution by BishwomvorBabu)
  • Niruddesh [নিরুদ্দেশ] (Missing Person)

[edit] Science Fictions

He was among the pioneers of Bangla science fiction. He started writing Science fictions to make children and preteens familiar with science.

  • Juddho Keno Thamlo [যুদ্ধ কেন থামল] (Why the War Was Stopped)
  • Pinpre Puran [পিঁপড়ে পুরাণ] (The Story of the Ants)[2]
  • Prithivir Shatru [পৄথিবীর শত্রু] (The Enemies of the Earth)
  • Kalapanir Atole [কালাপানির অতলে]
  • Mangalbairi [মঙ্গলবৈরী] (The Martian Enemies)[2]
  • Koral Kit [করাল কীট] (Horrible Insect)
  • Akasher Atonko [আকাশের আতঙ্ক] (The Danger from the Sky)
  • Manusher Protidwondi [মানুষের প্রতিদ্বন্দ্বী] (The Rival of the Man)
  • MoyDanober Dweep [ময়দানবের দ্বীপ] (The Island of MoyDanob)
  • Shomaoner Ron(g) Sada [শমনের রং সাদা] (The White Coloured Death)
  • Shukre Jara Giyechhilo [শুক্রে যারা গিয়েছিল] (Who They Went to Mars; previously named as Prithibee Chhariye [পৃথিবী ছাড়িয়ে] (Beyond the Earth))

[edit] Novels

  • Paank [পাঁক] (The Mud)
  • Michhil [মিছিল] (The Procession)
  • Uponayon [উপনয়ন] (The Ceremony)
  • Agamikal [আগামিকাল] (Tomorrow)
  • Protishod [প্রতিশোধ] (The Revenge)
  • Kuasha [কুয়াশা] (The Fog)
  • Protidhwoni Fere [প্রতিধ্বনি ফেরে] (Echo Returns)

[edit] Characters

[edit] Ghanada (Brother Ghana) [ঘনাদা]

Ghanada (Original name: Ghanashyam Das [ঘনশ্যাম দাস]) is a middle-aged resident of a mess at 72, Banamali Naskar Lane in Kolkata, West Bengal with the four young members Shibu, Shishir, Gour and Sudhir (the narrator of the stories). He claims himself to be full of thrilling experience all over the globe (and, even in Mars!) to tackle conspiracies. Also, some of the stories are about Ganado [গানাদো] (Original name: Ghonoram Das [ঘনরাম দাস]) in South America, and Bachanram Das [বচনরাম দাস] in Agra at Medieval India, his ancestors. First Ghanada story is Mosha [মশা] (The Mosquito) in 1945.

Main article: Ghanada
See also: As an Author & Editor: 3rd Para, Surya Kandle Sona, and Ghanada Tosyo Tosyo Omnibus
[edit] Mamababu (Maternal Uncle) [মামাবাবু]

Mamababu lived in Burma on account of his service. He is a middle-aged man. His expeditions are written in many novels and short-stories, such as:

  • Kuhoker Deshe [কুহকের দেশে] (In the Land of Illusion)
  • Dryagoner Nishwas [ড্র্যাগনের নিশ্বাস] (The Breath of the Dragon)
  • Mamababur Protidan [মামাবাবুর প্রতিদান] (The Refund of Mamababu)
  • Abar Sei Meyeti [আবার সেই মেয়েটি] (The Girl Again)
  • Paharer Nam Korali [পাহাড়ের নাম করালী] (The Hill Named Korali)

This character inspires Sunil Gangopadhyay to write his famous Kakababu [কাকাবাবু] series.

[edit] Parashor Barma [পরাশর বর্মা]

Parashor Barma is a detective but he tries to be a poet.[3] First Parashor story is Goyenda Kobi Parashor [গোয়েন্দা কবি পরাশর] (Detective Poet Parashor) in 1932. Some other stories are:

  • Hippie Songe Parashor Barma [হিপি সঙ্গে পরাশর বর্মা] (Parashor Barma in Hippie Company)
  • Premer Chokhe Parashor [প্রেমের চোখে পরাশর] (Parashor in the Eye of Love)
  • Parashor Barma O Bhanga Radio [পরাশর বর্মা ও ভাঙ্গা রেডিও] (Parashor Barma and the Broken Radio)
  • Parashor Barma O Ashlil Boi [পরাশর বর্মা ও অশ্লীল বই] (Parashor Barma and the Book of Vulger)
  • Parashor Ebar Johuri [পরাশর এবার জহুরি]

Some Ghanada story has also included this character, e.g.- Porashore Ghanaday.

[edit] Mejokorta [মেজকর্তা]

Like Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay's Baroda, Mejokorta is also famous for his ghost stories.

There are only 9 stories of Mejokorta in total. All stories are claimed by the narrator to be found in an very old hand-written manuscript, which the narrator found inside a running bus.

See also: As an Author & Editor: 4th Para

[edit] Accolades

  1. Sharat-Smriti Puraskar in 1954
  2. In 1957, he went to Belgium, (his first foreign tour) to attend the World Poetry Festival. He was selected the leader of the Indian team.
  3. Sahitya Akademi Award for Sagor Theke Fera in1957
  4. Rabindra Puraskar in 1958
  5. Shishu Sahitya Puraskar by Govt. of West Bengal in 1958 for Ghanada series
  6. Receiving Leader's Grant from U. S. A., he travelled U. S. A. & England in 1962.
  7. Ananda Puraskar in 1973
  8. Neheru Award from Soviet Russia in 1976
  9. D Lit from Burdwan University in 1981
  10. Jagattarini Gold Medal from University of Calcutta in 1981
  11. Vidya Sagar Puraskar in 1984
  12. Deshikottam from Visva Bharati in 16 January, 1988

He was also awarded the Padmashree and the Mouchak Puraskar.

[edit] Publishers of Mitra's writings

Currently, his books are published from Shishu Sahitya Samsad, Ananda Publishers and Dey's Publishing. Ananda has published the complete collection of Ghanada, in 3 volumes: Ghanada Samagra 1, Ghanada Samagra 2, Ghanada Samagra 3 and the complete collection of Parashor Barma in a single volume: Parashor Samagra. The first-ever English translation of his Ghanada stories (Mosquito and Other Stories) was published by Penguin Books India in 2004. Some more translated works are available now-a-days.

[edit] As a Film Concern

[edit] Direction

[edit] Story, screenplay, lyrics and dialogues

See also: Ashapoorna Devi, Achintya Kumar Sengupta, Kaji Najrul Islam, Jibanananda Das, Syed Mujtaba Ali, Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay, and Khagendranath Mitra

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://bn.wikipedia.org/wiki/প্রেমেন্দ্র_মিত্র
  2. ^ a b Debjani Sengupta (2003). Sadhanbabu’s Friends: Science Fiction in Bengal from 1882-1961PDF, Sarai Reader: Shaping Technologies 3.
  3. ^ http://www.banglamystery.com/Bengali_mystery_literature_writers.htm
  • Golpo Songroho (Collected Stories), the national text book of B.A. (pass and subsidiary) course of Bangladesh, published by University of Dhaka in 1979 (reprint in 1986).
  • Bangla Sahitya (Bengali Literature), the national text book of intermediate (college) level of Bangladesh published in 1996 by all educational boards.

[edit] External links

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