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Bengali Literary Giant Shankar Dies at 93
21 Feb
Summary
- Acclaimed Bengali author Shankar, renowned since the 1960s, passed away at 93.
- His novels inspired iconic films like Satyajit Ray's 'Seemabaddha'.
- He wrote prolifically for seven decades, earning both critical acclaim and popularity.
Mani Shankar Mukherjee, widely known as Shankar, a celebrated Bengali author and a dominant literary figure since the 1960s, passed away on Friday at the age of 93. His prolific writings offered profound insights into the psyche of multiple generations of the Bengali middle class and significantly influenced Bengali cinema.
Shankar's literary journey began amidst hardship; he penned his first book in 1955 by hurricane light after his family fell into penury. His renowned novel 'Chowringhee', conceived in 1962, became a cult classic, translated into 18 languages. He maintained a deep connection with Kolkata's downtown area, 'Chowringhee', where he worked until 2020.
Beyond fiction, Shankar was a respected biographer of spiritual figures and a pioneering travel writer, chronicling his explorations of international destinations for Bengali readers. His career spanned over seven decades, earning him the Sahitya Akademi Award and ensuring his enduring popularity.
Shankar also had a distinguished career in public relations and corporate roles, working with major companies like Dunlop and the RPG Group. Colleagues remember him as a mentor and a man of great wit and humility. His legacy extends to sustaining the College Street book trade for decades.
