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In the vast landscape of Bengali literature, Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay stands as a bridge between imagination and reality—a writer whose stories have charmed both children and adults for more than half a century. Born on 2 November 1935 in Mymensingh, now in Bangladesh, Shirshendu’s early life unfolded against the shifting backdrop of pre- and post-Partition India. His ancestral roots lie in Bainkhara, Bikrampur (present-day Munshiganj), but history soon charted a new course for his family, leading them to settle in Kolkata after Partition.
Shirshendu’s childhood was one of journeys—geographical and emotional. With his father’s railway job taking the family across Bihar, Bengal, and Assam, young Shirshendu learned early the value of observation. The landscapes, people, and everyday wonders he encountered would later find their echoes in his stories. After completing his intermediate studies at Victoria College in Koch Bihar, he earned a Master’s degree in Bengali from Calcutta University, laying a strong literary foundation for a remarkable career.
His professional journey began in the classroom, where he taught as a school teacher. However, his true calling soon led him to words. Joining Anandabazar Patrika and later becoming closely associated with the magazine Desh, Shirshendu entered the world of literary publishing—a home he would never leave.
His debut story, “Jal Taranga,” appeared in Desh in 1959, marking the quiet arrival of a writer soon to become a household name. Years later, his novel Ghunpoka, published in Desh’s annual Puja edition, established him as a novelist of gentle depth and subtle humour. From there, a stream of unforgettable books followed—Parapar, Ujan, Rangin Sanko, Brishtir Ghran, Manobjomin, and many more.
For children, Shirshendu created worlds filled with wonder and mischief. His much-loved novel Manojder Adbhut Bari became a classic, and later tales like Pagla Saheber Kabor, Patashgarer Jangale, Patalghar, and Nabiganjer Daitya further showcased his magical ability to see the extraordinary in the ordinary. In literature, he carved a rare space where fantasy met philosophy, and innocence met insight.
Beyond his novels, Shirshendu gave Bengali fiction two remarkable detectives—Barodacharan and Shabor Dasgupta—each reflecting his gift for weaving suspense with psychology. Their stories later leapt onto cinema screens, continuing his journey through a new medium.
Indeed, cinema has embraced Shirshendu’s imagination wholeheartedly. From Hirer Angti (1992) and Patalghar (2003) to Ebar Shabor (2015) and Manojder Adbhut Bari (2018), his stories have inspired acclaimed films that continue to enchant audiences old and new.
Over the decades, his talent has been honoured with numerous awards—the Vidyasagar Award in 1985 for children’s literature, the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1989 for Manabjamin, the Banga Bibhushan in 2012, and the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship in 2021, among many others. The prestigious Kuvempu Rashtriya Puraskar in 2023 further affirmed his place as one of India’s greatest literary voices.
Today, Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay’s legacy stands not only on bookshelves but also in the hearts of readers who grew up with his stories—and those still discovering them. His fiction continues to affirm that literature, when told with warmth and wit, can unite generations. From the quiet lanes of Kolkata to the bustling world of Bengali cinema, his stories remind us that imagination is timeless, and that some storytellers truly belong to everyone.
Notable works from Mukhopadhyay encompass a wide range of novels and story collections, including:
- Ghunpoka (1967)
- Parapar
- Ujan
- Rangin Sanko
- Phera
- Brishtir Ghran
- Nayanshyama
- Kagojer Bou
- Laal Neel Manush
- Fajal Ali Aschhe
- Nilu Hazrar Hatyaarahasya
- Fulchor
- Bhul Satya
- Chhyamoyi
- Jaal
- Durbeen
- Kancher Manush
- Bikeler Mrityu
- Manobjomin
- Manojder Adbhut Bari
His works for children include “Manojder Adbhut Bari,” “Pagla Saheber Kabor,” “Bonny,” “Patashgarer Jangale,” “Boxer Ratan,” “Gourer Kabach,” “Patalghar,” and “Nabiganjer Daitya” among many others.
Film Adaptations
Several of Mukhopadhyay’s works have been adapted into acclaimed films, such as:
- Hirer Angti (1992)
- Ajab Gayer Ajab Katha (1998)
- Patalghar (2003)
- Dosar (2006)
- Sadhu Babar Lathi (2008)
- Banshiwala (2010)
- Kagojer Bou (2011)
- Gosainbaganer Bhoot (2011)
- Chayamoy (2013)
- Goynar Baksho (2013)
- Ashchorjyo Prodeep (2013)
- Ebar Shabor (2015)
- Eagoler Chokh (2016)
- Aschhe Abar Shabor (2018)
- Manojder Adbhut Bari (2018)
- Bony (2021)
- Tirandaj Shabor (2022)
Awards and Honours
Mukhopadhyay has received numerous prestigious awards in recognition of his literary contributions:
- Vidyasagar Award (1985) – for contributions to children’s literature
- Ananda Purashkar (1973, 1990)
- Sahitya Akademi Award (1989) for his novel Manabjamin
- Banga Bibhushan Award (2012)
- Sahitya Akademi Fellowship (2021)
- ABP Ananda Sera Bangali Award (Sera’r sera)
- Kuvempu Rashtriya Puraskar (2023)
Last modified: November 24, 2025
