P. K. De Sarkar
P. K. De Sarkar | |
|---|---|
| Native name | প্রফুল্লকুমার দে সরকারের |
| Born | 1911 Nilphamari, Rangpur, Bangladesh |
| Died | 1978 Kolkata |
| Language | English |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Alma mater | Rajshahi College |
| Period | 1926 - |
| Subject | English |
| Notable works | A Text Book of Higher English Grammar, Composition and Translation |
Prafulla Kumar De Sarkar [Bengali language প্রফুল্লকুমার দে সরকার] (1911–1974), was a teacher, English grammarian, and author. His A Text Book of Higher English Grammar, Composition and Translation, first published in 1926, continues to be used[1] as a textbook among Bengali students learning English.
Personal life
P. K. De Sarkar was born in 1911 in Nilphamari District in Rangpur,[2] Bengal, British India, now in Bangladesh. He secured a job with Martin and Burn,[3] Calcutta (now Kolkata). Refused entry into their library as per the British only policy of the time, Sarkar resigned.[3] He went on to become the headmaster of Bholanath Bisweswar Hindu Academy in Rajshahi, now in Bangladesh. His students fondly referred to him as "Master-Moshai", literally meaning Teahcer-Sir. During his tenure there, in 1926, A Text Book of Higher English Grammar, Composition and Translation was published. Shortly after the independence and Partition of India, he migrated to Calcutta in 1948.[4] The book royalties remained his primary source of income until his death in 1974.[3] He occasionally took up some work for a publishing house, but asked for only tickets to cricket matches in lieu. Sarkar has two sons, who are engineers, and two daughters who are microbiologists.
A Text Book of Higher English Grammar, Composition and Translation
Sarkar is best known for his seminal book on English grammar. It was first published in 1926 by Saraswati Press with P Ghosh & Co as publishers.[5] At the time, the most popular English grammar books were the ones Henry Watson Fowler and John Nesfield. Sarkar's book focussed on the pedagogic needs of Indian students learning English grammar, and became very popular. Generations of students in West Bengal have used it to learn English grammar rather than the British ones. Sarkar continued to improve the book all through his life. Since his death in 1974, his eldest son, Pabitra Kumar De Sarkar (1932–), continues to work on new editions. The family helps solve IAS questions of English, and incorporate the answers.[3] Now in its 50th edition, launched December 27, 2016,[5] the book sells over 20,000 copies annually.[3]
Libraries of several colleges continue to keep copies, including the International Islamic University, Chittagong,[6] Chittagong University of Engineering & Technology,[7] Bangladesh Civil Service Administration Academy Library,[8] etc.
Fame as a seminal author
Along with K. C. Nag and Chitta Ranjan Dasgupta, (famously known as C. R. Dasgupta, as his name appears on his seminal book A Handbook of Degree Physics), Sarkar was considered to be one of the holy trinity of Bengali pedagogy.[4]
References
- ^ "A Text Book of Higher English Grammar, Composition And Translation". Archived from the original on 2019-03-13.
- ^ "কলকাতার কড়চা". anandabazar.com (in Bengali). Retrieved 2020-03-07.
- ^ a b c d e "Book that taught English grammar to Bengalis turns 90". Hindustan Times. 2016-12-27. Retrieved 2019-04-01.
- ^ a b desk, kolkata24x7 online (2017-12-22). "বাংলা শিক্ষাজগতের 'ব্রহ্মা বিষ্ণু মহেশ্বর' যুগ শেষ". Kolkata24x7 | Read Latest Bengali News, Breaking News in Bangla from West Bengal's Leading online Newspaper. Retrieved 2020-03-07.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ a b Bangaliana, Sholoana. "50th Edition of PK De Sarkar's English Grammar Book Launched | Sholoanabangaliana Portal". Retrieved 2019-04-01.
- ^ Satkar, Prafulla Kumar De (1977). A Text Book of Higher English Grammar, Composition and Translation. Calcutta: Book Syndicate Private Limited.
- ^ Sarkar, P. K. De (1997). A text book of higher english grammar composition and translation (45th ed.). India: Book Syndicate Privatr Ltd.
- ^ Sarkar, P. K. De (1926). A text book of higher english grammar composition and translation. Calcutta: Book syndicate private limited. ISBN 978-0-19-564346-6.