Narayan Gangopadhyay

Narayan Gangopadhyay was an Indian writer, professor, and novelist born on 4 February 1918 at Baliadingi in Dinajpur. His penname is Narayan. He finished his schooling at Dinajpur Zila School in 1933. He got accepted into Rajendra College in Faridpur but had to leave the town and drop out the following year on political grounds. He was detained as a revolutionary suspect and could not attend the university examinations. Later, he enrolled in the second year of BM College in Barisal and, as a non-collegiate candidate, passed Intermediate Arts (IA) in 1936. In 1938, he earned a distinction in his Bachelor of Arts degree from the same university. He graduated with his MA from Calcutta University in 1941, and for his exceptional performance, he was awarded the Brahmamayee Gold Medal. In 1960, he received his DPhil from the same institution.

Narayan was a professor at several universities, including the City College and Jalpaiguri College. In 1956, he began instructing at Calcutta University. When Narayan was still a student, he started to write poems. He eventually rose to fame for his plays, novels, and other literary creations. Upanibesh (3 volumes, 1944–1947), Samrat O Shresthi in 1944, Mandramukhar in 1945, and Shilalipi are some of his novels in 1949. He also wrote children's books, including Saptakanda, Andhakarer Agantuk, Chotader Shrestha Galpa (1952), Chhutir Akash, Khushir Hawa, Jhau Banglor Rahasya, Pavchananer Hati, Pataldabgar Tenida, Galpa Bali Galpa Shona, Abyartha Laksyabhed, and Tenidar Abhiyan. His dramas Bhadate Chai and Agantuk received widespread recognition. A few screenplays and songs for movies and phonograph recordings were also written by him.

Shanibarer Chithi frequently received contributions from Narayan. He used to regularly contribute articles under the pseudonym "Sunanda" to the weekly Desh toward the end of his life. His passion for Bengali nature, his sense of history, and his patriotism all influence his work. In 1946, he received the Ananda Award for his contribution to Bangla literature in honour of his well-received short stories. He was also awarded by Basumatic in 1968. He passed away on November 6, 1970, in Kolkata.